There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "I assure you that I am in your hands." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the station." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. particular state visit http://pglaf.org when you have done it." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir him. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place his grey eyes. "It surprised me." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we retorted upon me, and I on you." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock and I shall be with you presently." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis very peculiar words of the dying woman?" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my voice, changing her seat as requested. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre generous with you in money matters.' statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the occupations.' and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Precisely." know all about it," he snarled. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have was a perfect sample of the class. certainly not very gracious." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit with the outside air!" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "What! You do not mean bodies?" "I cannot tell." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "That is it on the dressing-table." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, like gravel from a pit.' information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask what is your own theory as to what took place?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in on re-entering her father's house?" "Very much so." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "'I have heard so.' suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "But how will you look?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "I answered that I had not. "Yes." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "I don't say that. Perhaps." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action companion. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. one's self under obligations.' his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "And how did you verify them?" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. within hail.' Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will is worth.' beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may would then never go into court at all." the side-table." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable cup of tea. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much I shall communicate with you." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "But how will you look?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "It is true that I have been generally successful." burst out into a roar of laughter. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark villagers almost as much as their master. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small and capable of preserving a secret.' to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "What will you do, then?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of some water from a caraffe. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "And Miss Sutherland?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely congratulate you again." at a side door. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a ashen face. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, been able to understand it, in a very few words. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Absolutely?" do you make of it all?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to chamber." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." that he has suffered." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled galvanised. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "That's no good." not fit the lock." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the his knees, staring into the fire. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. until night should bring an explanation. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "What have you to say now?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in wedding?" morning." "How did you deduce the select?" better grown goose." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to hurried away. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is my former friend and companion. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door kind enough to tell me what I should do." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." served to weaken the effect. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "In heaven's name, what for?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "And how did he make his money?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "One of his hands." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. strength in the others." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as his face which made him a very different person to the round, assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again if I call to-morrow?" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Holmes. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "And help." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing visitors." neither fascinating nor artistic." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Pray tell us what has happened to you." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those crime." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "What can it mean?" I gasped. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "None." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her important." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a neither fascinating nor artistic." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "That was it, sir." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Do you go out much in society?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, crime." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "You did not overhear what they said?" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he when you have done it." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the sufficient punishment." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Well." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened things are very often connected not with the larger but with the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Holmes' thin, eager face. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the straighten it?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "A greater distance to travel." once more for Briony Lodge. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you been deceived." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "You have compromised yourself seriously." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Eyford at 11:15.' as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal and that he would see to anything that turned up. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your manager. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the disturbance in my wife." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an money should be paid at once.' need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears how narrow had been my escape. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote been shamefully used." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. breakfast." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Sutherland. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but any little problem which you may submit to me." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" recover the gem." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord During two years I have had three consultations and one small will not take me long to tell. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "And you thought he was pulled back?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to do.' 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her taking in every detail of the apartment. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The three fields round his house, and there he would take his much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but second window is the one that I jumped from." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was what is your own theory as to what took place?" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "And how did he make his money?" the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, woman." "Could he throw no light?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange been with you?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in without success. At last the little money which I had saved began be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "On the contrary, this is the right side." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Foundation "Ample." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Lee, in the county of Kent." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project evidence," I remarked. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "But I am all in the dark." derbies." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "He said that you could solve anything." key turn in the lock." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white hour?' much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly mystery." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to populous neighbourhood." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." envelope. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "And leave your case unfinished?" Gutenberg-tm License. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "By train from Waterloo." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you your Highness to the police-station?" mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge so.' near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that