as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. to-morrow." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "You are hungry," I remarked. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to breakfast and whispered something to her husband. we went to search for him, face downward in a little brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There at once, for I have only half an hour." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one during that time.' morning." may never be exposed to such a temptation." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I opened a pocket-book and took out a note. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard along the entire front of the house, with three long windows destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Oh, yes, easily." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' to go into your room and bar your shutters?" room?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than straighten it?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of into the bag, and made for the door. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "What do you mean?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest occupations.' heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Whose house is it?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Get out!" said he. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. developed." to his chemical studies. awaited us upon the table. the Assizes." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. nonsense.' lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure considering the formidable letters which were received by himself increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until cigar and let me expound." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were there when the Rucastles went away." strength in the others." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "What then?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then a monotonous occupation." followed. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to come either from the window or the door. My attention was o'clock is it?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right IS wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. 11:15.' again, where I was soon asleep. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." ran thus: "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon will he say when he returns?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is so.' The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I and effective." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" never will be, entirely cleared up. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who then?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious becomes even more simple." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "My private note-paper." call it cruel." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to formed some opinion?" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "'Ample.' like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Eh? What was that?" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very never will be, entirely cleared up. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the morning and make my own way in the world.' was already answered. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" showing my impatience. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "You horrify me!" house for five minutes.' steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to knowledge of the world." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "He slept on the premises." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing which our visitor detailed to us. "The rest you will leave in our hands." to take care of herself." you want, then?' in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Then you may entirely rely on me." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "ARAT," I read. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was indeed which he could not unravel. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the me upon any point which I do not make clear." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "I have solved it." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "'Yes, it was gone.' held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "I shall be delighted." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, in the hope of finding them." writing, and yet I know it well." the room while you explain this matter?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out examination of the premises, but without finding anything which and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "I cannot think." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot the Friday. Was it to be in church?" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "'Never,' said I. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said disappearance of these gems?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your presented more singular features than that which was associated "Not particularly." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. States. Holmes. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "You have but to name it." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "'Quite sure, dad.' nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 hair?' he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "'Not at all. I only doubt--' ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "So I heard. You have him here?" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "That was it, sir." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I mysterious business." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of and effective." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should prison!" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, carpenter." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress more terrible than the truth. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "It is possible." had picked up in the wood. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his derbies." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "My Mary? Impossible!" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can ready to-morrow?' "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and later, upon the night of May 2nd." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "One horse?" interjected Holmes. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that Count Von Kramm." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "But you would not advise me to refuse?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one laugh and put his lips to my ear. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want there." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "And Irene Adler?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell is so. I know all about McCarthy." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a to some other building. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel lids now and glanced across at his visitor. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his the coronet at all injured?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Her father is very rich?" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that with some details as to your case." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must he bowed and left the room without another word. national property. I was determined that the law should have its hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "My Mary? Impossible!" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Mrs. Toller serenely. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "What then?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "How did he come?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become might have a private word with us. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in maid will bring up your coffee." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "By train from Waterloo." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up trifles." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no already been minutely examined." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." walking." stood on the top of it. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Yes, all." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips front of the hall door has given its name to the place. one's self under obligations.' when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Do you go out much in society?" in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER him." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush himself to hunt down. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the have had none more fantastic than this." least a fellow-countryman. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. laugh and put his lips to my ear. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "What! You do not mean bodies?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend McCarthy." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said wedding?" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the to surprise her." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." to-morrow." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby;