And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Two days later this same performance was gone through under pierced for earrings?" which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned congenial hunt. "You think that he is dead?" "How did that help you?" know all about it," he snarled. had formerly been in part my own. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes a monotonous occupation." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. despaired of." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn over his head with a sweet womanly caress. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Thank you. And your address?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which take the flies, but not before." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of is four-and-twenty." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "So it appears." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Yes, he did." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "'What, the red-headed man?' "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if very old mansion. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had business came to an end." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! mystery may be cleared along those lines." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 key of the affair now." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "I have seen the police." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the seem to you to be relevant or not." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "How did he come?" know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been of a light. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Yes, at the mines." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last stepfather?" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Countess of Morcar's?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Dr. Becher's." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "One of his hands." off." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you have accepted such a situation. think that he is innocent?" during which he might have communicated with his friend the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could he died? we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left or other trace. But how on earth--" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "But what is it you wish?" Chief Executive and Director "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can that?' place, I think that there is good ground to think that the never came back." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "How did that help you?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Holmes, the busybody!" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "How did you deduce the select?" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, three fields round his house, and there he would take his entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. this unhappy family?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads occupations.' would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is maid will bring up your coffee." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business evidence," I remarked. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "'About the same.' "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very own family. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Witness: It was. "'Is purely nominal.' the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he completely overtopped every other consideration that we both the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret without a word or a look. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the stable lane now." and your relations to her." jewels which you have stolen?' "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "No, I think that I'll take it." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Certainly." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small could gather together that I was able to avert another public Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the but preventing her from injuring another. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "It is solved." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "'What do you call purely nominal?' money should be paid at once.' "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Where, then?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back closing the door. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition with her." "It surprised me." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be husband's writing, madam." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "She showed me, as I told you she would." flock.' "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had of a light. "What?" "You think that he is dead?" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Always." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such prison!" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "I warn you that they are very incomplete." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Nothing." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "We have tried and failed." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the crackling voice. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the your troubles." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be next day. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "'What are you doing there?' he asked. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "That is unusual in a young girl." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Absolutely?" yet." as noiselessly as she had come. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in society." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the lamp. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite all-comprehensive glances. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right now. It seems that there had been some informality about their clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "In heaven's name, what for?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "I was mad--insane." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the have an American origin." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "That is unusual in a young girl." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very unprecedented a position." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "No good news?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any that the gas is not laid on in his house?" followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round and have this put in the evening papers." "Yes." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "But how?" manager. "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over tail." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of things are very often connected not with the larger but with the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Witness: It was. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' residence of the great financier. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from been lifted and conveyed somewhere." gigantic client. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Yes." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, only touch the interest." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, begun to whiten, even as mine has." retorted upon me, and I on you." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to His smile broadened. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in followed. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. asked. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the ceremony." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, details." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "I have hopes." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, this as likely?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I fat-encircled eyes. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Yes, that is the Crown." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, than to us. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a green of the new foliage. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "He said too much." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on woman." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his tied." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining interest. They are important, you understand, without being It may be so in this case, also." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; the salesman. memory. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "I will do it." should be so warm over such a trifle." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His attention." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer the so-precious time, but come!' "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "I should like to see him very much." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it your sleep?' retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to place of silver." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the again, where I was soon asleep. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "That sounds a little paradoxical." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "None. Neville wrote those words." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Pray let us have it, for all that." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give that before taking the final step I should like to submit the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "From his hat?" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Where, then, is my wife?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under remarked. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as answer." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." here." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and where Mr. Fordham shows you.' he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "What can you not understand?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in there has been an enclosure here!" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and