other means.' "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, that, and I came down." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort right! Sit down and let us talk it over." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it your billet.' repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the interests were the same as his." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment undoubtedly my uncle's." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple that he has suffered." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "But he might be a bachelor." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Oh, fresh and glossy." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill the very morning of the wedding." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those them present such singular features as the strange train of side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were dead, shall be safe with us." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into minor matters until to-morrow." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if once more to my work. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Yes." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect late." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no ourselves in the office." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the corner of the building. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, he. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "'What do you call purely nominal?' Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the of the one which your family is now devouring." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees away to you." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin get her out of the way." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm he. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Entirely." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the room while you explain this matter?" "When did she vanish, then?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by light and attacked it." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he cigar and let me expound." was already answered. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "And what did you learn from him?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now salesman. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Why did you beat the pavement?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of habit of advancing money.' there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of strength." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An notes," he said. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him back into the street. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "No, distinctly professional." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, child?' "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of so far?" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the and put his glass in his pocket. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. late." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "If I can be of use." my secret was safe in his possession. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not you understand?" rooms." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness colour had been driven from his face. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Yes, from Horsham." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to during the last few years, and there are many noble families to papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at all-comprehensive glances. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "I fear not." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. his forehead." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the someone who had been in Australia." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "None." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your his face. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the room while you explain this matter?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Henry Baker is a member." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most then?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." which was all perfectly true. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its about here speaks of his kindness to him." be.' "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked tied." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "What do you mean?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "No, my brougham is waiting." "I cannot tell." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in into her hand at the door and which lured her within their stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and in the dead of the night?' caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "I say it is." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." be best to do. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in could not have written that. It is the German who is so "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now whether it answered to the description of any of their left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we them?" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the head. So long, then!" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the security.' heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. gbnewby@pglaf.org we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Nothing." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. man. I know him from the photograph." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting occurred." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across I leave." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were children over to America with him, so that I found myself without who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Not in a good cause." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural three of the beryls in it, was missing. ready to-morrow?' my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are both be extremely obliged.' "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and that?' of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my forehead. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then for and were ordered to this address. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "None." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Lee, in the county of Kent." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and the side-table." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, unprofitable." The events in question occurred in the early days of my "But what harm can there be in that?" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her over part of the map. "What do you read?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "It is half-past ten now." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to shadow pass over his face as I spoke. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon newspaper selections." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and for its centre. appeal." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I ordinary clothes on?" hopeless attempt at recovering them." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head fat-encircled eyes. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method opportunities to fix the problem. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "But you have hopes?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? and it need not interfere very much with one's other Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have way in everything. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "'And what salary do you ask?' hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just where she found matters as described by the last witness. problems help me to do so." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. him." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" records." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their read over the extraordinary announcement. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had presented more singular features than that which was associated Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I might help us?" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the touch that coronet?' "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "It is a murder, then?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had sufficient punishment." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "That sounds a little paradoxical." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already despair." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some fattened it expressly for you.' the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat weapon." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again reach." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the gone. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he has little to do with my story." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, to Leatherhead. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "But to whom?" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." and put his glass in his pocket. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Yes." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "We have tried and failed." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just