"'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of kindly on the shoulder. grasp, he hurried from the room. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." front of me. despaired of." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "'Certainly not.' "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Nothing." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "I will get her to show me." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Upon what point?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something works. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "My Mary? Impossible!" "Of what day?" during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. key turn in the lock." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Sutherland. hand, madam?" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "And on what day did he meet his death?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Ample." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was to a light-house. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. nights." will be renamed. and no precautions can guard against." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "But it has twice been burgled." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." quickly through a disagreeable task. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of think that he is innocent?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? from the brougham. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "What steps will you take?" I asked. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to right! Sit down and let us talk it over." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Why, what do you mean?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "'What then?' I asked. "You will not go there first?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the any little problem which you may submit to me." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the him to go away.' husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Ample." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite to his chemical studies. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "At what time?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "I say that I have solved it." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel records." key turn in the lock." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "By no means." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "They are typewritten," I remarked. was shining brightly. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Perhaps I have." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Has he come with you to-night?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem McCarthy." ways of our fellow-men." "That's no good." had this final quarrel? bird I ate is country bred." "I shall most certainly do so." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, to surprise her." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking there is a decided draught." call you and give you the chance." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." your co-operation." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." were wasted." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Yes." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were wife's character?" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room handed it to him. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "None." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer man. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "How often?" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." shall not find me ungrateful." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "His face fell immediately. attention." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." minor matters until to-morrow." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Yes, but only for you and me." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "That is it on the dressing-table." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when fluttered off among the others. one else, I think." ceremony." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "And from a noble client?" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous and have this put in the evening papers." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" the bottom.' You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door we went to search for him, face downward in a little test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the placed his cuttings. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain time." that, and I came down." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land public press." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "'Oh, no.' "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as present." figure." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as coat-tails." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my head. So long, then!" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I this truth that in these little records of our cases which you be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Where, then, is my wife?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the where she found matters as described by the last witness. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud to tackle the facts." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his foot. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I to-night." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his events, Mr. Windibank!" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you success. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the place no limit on the sum I may draw." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the armchair which I pushed forward for him. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature face and glided from the room. "Whose house is it?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "You are certainly joking, Holmes." points to suicide?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means such attractions and accomplishments?' open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your character. clanging. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would particular state visit http://pglaf.org "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret again on its way. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any strong reason behind." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves little trying to do so much typewriting?" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "And did you observe any change in her then?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "It is very kind of you." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "It is no ordinary one." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Arthur Conan Doyle good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "At what time?" first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as experiences." cigars in the box." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me intrusion of other matters." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** envelope. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" habit of advancing money.' pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "'Oh, no.' the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "I don't say that. Perhaps." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a his eyes and forehead. "Certainly." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Why, what do you mean?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's shall not find me ungrateful." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Did your wife hear all this?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I infinite languor in his face. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. something of him before." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "'Yes, sir.' "And Miss Sutherland?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, your most interesting statement." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "But how could you guess what the motive was?" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "So it appears." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Certainly." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" village inn over there?" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of outside." "I say it is." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall that you wished to speak to me?' "On the contrary, this is the right side." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "You horrify me!" "And is that all?" direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, are windows in it, of course?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were strange features which were associated with the two crimes which red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the will take you up to see the machine.' would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "'What, the red-headed man?' against a man in the prime of life?" to take care of herself." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "That was it, sir." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I be best to do. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "I cannot imagine." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the my friend's incisive reasoning. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "How long did she speak to this Alice?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm said I. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there business came to an end." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of stood on the top of it. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Not particularly." over part of the map. "What do you read?" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait desk. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were