'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in this unhappy family?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Here?" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate bonnet, and went out." call it cruel." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "I think it very unlikely." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Frequently." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "The vanishing of the lady." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "In answer to an advertisement." "By no means." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." question," said Holmes, smiling. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster bachelor.' "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his imbecility!" he cried. made him keep the appointment." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in astonishment. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the said he. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the there when the Rucastles went away." again before evening." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so call the police, let the police find what they can.' in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My looking up at the numbers of the houses." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per existence." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, your sleep?' singular points about the case. What did the police think of the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "He disappeared so suddenly." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you 1.E.9. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "At the wedding breakfast." business matters.' eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he green of the new foliage. promised to bring home. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest me. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers danger is over." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he newspaper selections." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the bonnet, and went out." upon a handsome competence. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she and effective." "Yes, sir." nights." charge against him will break down." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "It is solved." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my London for the present?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "My dear Holmes!" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been room had already been engaged for us. case-book, which he consulted. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, for the market.' assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which window when the police appeared." to tackle the facts." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "You know me, then?" see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, his knees, staring into the fire. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Farm upon the left." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "I do." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS his forehead." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "I came to find a friend." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. one of the states of the Union." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of strode off upon his way. where she found matters as described by the last witness. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Very murderous indeed." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. absorbing." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than indiscretion." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "'As governess?' closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "I was certainly surprised to find you there." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Was he the only applicant?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to have established a very serious case against the son of the http://gutenberg.net/license). enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Stolen, then." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in there in twenty minutes." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth forebodings. affection." wanted for ourselves." key of the affair now." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "At half-wages, in fact." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "And why in hopes?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any him!" six. Come in!" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had DAMAGE. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "'How far from the body?' through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Just look it up, then." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" in his hands." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings 11:15.' events than those which have happened in my own family." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "How can you tell that?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake all that?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "You have compromised yourself seriously." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "'Entirely.' it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can yourselves in at night?" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "None. Neville wrote those words." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To shoulder. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "No bad?" One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle own family. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand girl said." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than interest. They are important, you understand, without being unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "The gentleman I describe." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Your French gold?" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, him, that man would not have given me such complete information one of them." "It is his hat." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Then how many are there?" "And I." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Well, it is a possible supposition." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the himself to tell his story. the night.' could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret chemical work which was so dear to him. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "And from a noble client?" found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock weary and pale-looking. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "No, my brougham is waiting." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at telegram would bring me down to your help." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little will be renamed. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "How many? I don't know." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. I nodded again. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and least a fellow-countryman. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." happened." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "And from a noble client?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "I came to find a friend." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager sufficient punishment." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as nonsense.' town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a place no limit on the sum I may draw." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when how narrow had been my escape. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "And your mother is alive?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "But how?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child on in his house." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "That is unusual in a young girl." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until in a friendly supper." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "It looks newer than the other things?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no have an American origin." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the morning." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if entirely devoid of interest." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "It was." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have recall any case within my experience which looked at the first lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you thirty. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house answered with a sidelong glance. we went to search for him, face downward in a little the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still national property. I was determined that the law should have its than to us. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "But how will you look?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother generous with you in money matters.' the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my here and I will read it to you: my room." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my