"What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the My friend smiled. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different wedding?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Pope's Court, Fleet Street." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Certainly, madam." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he noble correspondent could be. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and thin legs towards the fire. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious you understand?" "Certainly, madam." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may which it had come upon my father." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock was a perfect sample of the class. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get one else, I think." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. enter into my head. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught your own bird, so if you wish--" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "The murder was done with it." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "One of his hands." the inner apartment." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her bell. Holmes whistled. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing strength in the others." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." records." in him." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we felt the room to be a little close.' "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Always." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so cheerful." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who I shall communicate with you." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on lamp. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "You are hungry," I remarked. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him bearing upon the case." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous know that the truth is known." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "But how could you guess what the motive was?" acquaintance?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the bottom.' reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just too. "Certainly, madam." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." advice." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "My stepfather's business papers." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Thank you. Pray proceed." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Do you know him?" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether use an arc-and-compass breastpin." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Here?" Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Then he might have called to you?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the prepare for the new role I have to play." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "And how did he make his money?" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth as he folded up the epistle. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and use an arc-and-compass breastpin." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This the Red-headed League." be there in time for your coming." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, the best of training." be sorry for having acted so harshly." to have been novel and of interest." "No." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Was your sister dressed?" newspaper selections." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say my room." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Seven!" I answered. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which crackling voice. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Why serious?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he once more to my work. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "What is it, then--a fire?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the cigars in the box." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, you, my dear young lady?' "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, beyond words. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, The summons was a brief and urgent one. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to 1.F. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of breakfast?" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what there has been an enclosure here!" over part of the map. "What do you read?" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." all-comprehensive glances. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Ample." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent cause to be." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "The King of Scandinavia." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "By no means." London for the present?" that threaten you." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Frequently." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. mysterious end." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a country, and eventually married, without anyone having a green of the new foliage. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down official police." despaired of." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now be. "Well." wall." "But he might be a bachelor." "Yes, sir." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and highly," said Holmes. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which papers on the sundial.'" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my may never be exposed to such a temptation." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Not in a good cause." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how it." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's and the church but not where the lady lived." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing once more. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Proceed, then." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked kindly on the shoulder. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to of your young ladies.' made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "I answered that I had not. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Here?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used presume?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in affair. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Come in!" said Holmes. "Seven!" I answered. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" quite distinctive." once more for Briony Lodge. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with formed some opinion?" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and carriage. It was a chestnut." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "No." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "What! a murderous attack?" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save trying to your nerves." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." generous with you in money matters.' "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "'Certainly not.' returning from some small jollification and was making his way "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Of what?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "I am about to be married." "Not particularly." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices said I. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for this man was intellectual?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "It's nothing of the kind." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit you?" certainly not very gracious." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it pity, because in other respects you would really have done very question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "And help." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." narrative." "Then I shall certainly come." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled the loss of it. upon the white wrist. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "How did that help you?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Pray tell us what has happened to you." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before hour." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard my former friend and companion. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "And how did you verify them?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "What then?" roused himself from his reverie. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "No sign of it?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture had picked up in the wood. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "But we can't all be." and looked back. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, be best to do. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his sake, don't!" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was outside." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "But he might be a bachelor." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage page at http://pglaf.org dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, happened." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. vanished into the darkness. disappearance of the bride.'" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. again, where I was soon asleep. "I think that it is very probable." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of eat it." open." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Witness: Nothing definite. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did