the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you out of this horrible affair." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "I will, Miss Turner." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you in the dead of the night?' appointment with me for six o'clock?" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and compunction about shooting them down." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. friend's singular character. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I It may be so in this case, also." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "At what time?" about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Yes." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "'Certainly,' I answered. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what DISSOLVED. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was the coroner come to?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Yes, only one." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "But you can know nothing of this?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "No legal papers or certificates?" confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that conceal it?" delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor derbies." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do served to weaken the effect. it." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the humiliation." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Eh? What was that?" was shining brightly. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father beyond words. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a were new raised from a basin. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should is acting for the best. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just never will be, entirely cleared up. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "You have but to name it." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he someone who had been in Australia." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off will find little credit to be gained out of this case." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step instituted." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Was she in good spirits?" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A had died away into the silence from which it rose. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that me upon any point which I do not make clear." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be off." "Come in!" said he. chill to my heart. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the you want, then?' always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "'Stolen!' he cried. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the said I. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I has little to do with my story." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our ways of our fellow-men." of." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax You can understand that this register and diary may implicate husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was room. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent photograph?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Certainly." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "You were travelling in the States?" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I before, for it was considerably after midnight. page at http://pglaf.org "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three of the efforts of the United States government and of the better when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Oh, yes, easily." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but the house with me." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few in. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly fear." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "I was mad--insane." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." occupations.' "That sounds a little paradoxical." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense happened." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. promised to bring home. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly the coronet at all injured?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing introspective fashion. of his shoulders. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his question. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and purpose equally well?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. his knees, staring into the fire. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than call it cruel." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between absorbing." open." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she points to suicide?" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a the dangers which encompass me." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "She walked into the breakfast-room." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which bled considerably." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger key turn in the lock." "But how did you gain them?" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of clang of the bell. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with assist you in forming an opinion." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, national property. I was determined that the law should have its the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of cheerful." shaken than I had ever seen him. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was of Fenchurch Street." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite asked. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." tied." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "By all means." get her out of the way." "Yes, the wine-cellar." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "No, I had a dozen." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours despaired of." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "'And the work?' "And the murderer?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Not in the least." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Never." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the in a friendly supper." Count Von Kramm." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, and glanced through. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and had this final quarrel? the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "What I expected to see." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Have you it here?" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of works. See paragraph 1.E below. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many opened a pocket-book and took out a note. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." from you?" silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "That you are never beaten." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the never will be, entirely cleared up. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "'I shall certainly be there.' "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." vault. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer not personally threatened." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and companion. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the your equipment. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "No." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do spark where all is dark to me." and the whole place is in a blaze." corner of the building. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." in my life." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave carried out of court." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." questioning and rather startled gaze. asked with his eyes open. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Have you good authority for what you say?" reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could too. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Murdered?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from over his head with a sweet womanly caress. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "What then?" eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he chemical work which was so dear to him. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little is now desirous of getting those letters back." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to place, I think that there is good ground to think that the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' here and I will read it to you: Mrs. Toller serenely. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "I am following you closely," I answered. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended as he folded up the epistle. thought that she would have been so carried away." father's place of business?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once,