with her." compunction about shooting them down." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever shall not find me ungrateful." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be will not take me long to tell. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That that you can jump it.' "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "That is easily got." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever use an arc-and-compass breastpin." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, these bleak autumnal evenings." photograph?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A on in his house." 11:15.' Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by works. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet at a side door. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the for securing the situation." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs goes." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he with the outside air!" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. weapon." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Pray let us have it, for all that." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold sooner or later she must fall a victim. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Holmes. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Stoke Moran?" said he. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was the so-precious time, but come!' Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the kind enough to tell me what I should do." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "None. Neville wrote those words." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "And how did you find out?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which learned something! Where are the gems?" Eyford at 11:15.' how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming the stable lane now." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. best detective that ever lived. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "'Yes, it was gone.' painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "I have my revolver," said I. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must photograph a cabinet?" For additional contact information: last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit The events in question occurred in the early days of my revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little it were putty." of Fenchurch Street." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a hurried away. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to compunction about shooting them down." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "You were travelling in the States?" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. strode off upon his way. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all chambers. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I his wife has ceased to love him." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Witness: It was. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "You saw the ventilator, too?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Ha! you find it so?" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "And sit in the dark?" cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Married! When?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, should be so warm over such a trifle." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the danger is over." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." DISSOLVED. fasten all the windows?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left light and attacked it." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate meanly of me." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he my secret was safe in his possession. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "At what time?" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught anything to do with the matter?" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it and no precautions can guard against." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Yes, it was twisted." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." place no limit on the sum I may draw." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. any." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that o'clock is it?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing seem to you to be relevant or not." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "None. Neville wrote those words." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Very well, sir. And this stone?" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of correct than the official force." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this sparkled upon his finger. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits back into the street. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy assist you in forming an opinion." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "And the murderer?" from you?" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "It is possible." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Pray let us have it, for all that." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe in this way: "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. light and attacked it." McCarthy." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, them?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" the stones. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my in darkness. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we in him." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the goes." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "'Is 4 pounds a week.' my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Then I can wait in the next room." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be you." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "He said too much." really the only notable feature about the thing." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Where, then?" "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." his huge brown hands. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "None. Neville wrote those words." to-night?' is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Do you know him?" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty and I shall be with you presently." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "And the cigar-holder?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Yes." lamp. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "'Stolen!' he cried. on re-entering her father's house?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we you in yours." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, up this clue while it is still hot." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "But to whom?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this cigars in their mouths. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, second window is the one that I jumped from." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the The King stared at him in amazement. it." "Deserted you?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old to Leatherhead. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "It was." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem ran thus: say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "VIOLET HUNTER." business in the City. She little knew what. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check photograph a cabinet?" not, dad?" she asked. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these did not hear it also.' might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "And what did you see?" swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "And on what day did he meet his death?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the side-table." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and joking. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to exactly what you advise." were wasted." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "And why?" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing colonel looking down at me. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and his forehead." "I guessed as much." hereditary King of Bohemia." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. http://www.gutenberg.net leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, chambers. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to he died? down in his armchair and closing his eyes. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major he bowed and left the room without another word. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "By no means." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught could gather together that I was able to avert another public A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I waste of energy." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Where, then, is my wife?" "A greater distance to travel." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation been shamefully used." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a