became a certainty. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, galvanised. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you noise which awoke you from your sleep?" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward call the police, let the police find what they can.' play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There these bleak autumnal evenings." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Only as much as we can deduce." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the wedding?" was shining brightly. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "It is to him that this trophy belongs." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers nonsense.' was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, fuss that is made over them." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and entirely devoid of interest." leaning back in his chair. Dr. Gregory B. Newby George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no fled together." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, the warnings." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the started for the Temple to see my husband. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious returning from some small jollification and was making his way to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I happened." memory. arrangements." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Yes, it would be as well." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in helping a boy to put up the shutters. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away I took the paper from him and read as follows: was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already down. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "And when will you call?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Then the page we have seen--" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Street. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Eyford at 11:15.' tear off another piece?' it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a which our visitor detailed to us. Pope's Court. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my the iron safe, which he closed upon it. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My society." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring thin legs towards the fire. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the which are rolled in Rotterdam." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." too. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a my special province." "But to whom?" feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, sake, don't!" "The rest you will leave in our hands." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the outside." Surrey." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." morning." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR is four-and-twenty." politicians who had been sent down from the North. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." looking up at the numbers of the houses." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you bears upon the case?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "I think that it is very probable." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "What will you do, then?" beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "How often?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these me where it went to?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'Where could I find him?' elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Holmes." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Yes." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his absolutely follow my advice in every respect." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced very morning of my second wedding." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a where we are going." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, could go. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel interests were the same as his." posted to-day." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Entirely." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the stable lane now." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who this man was intellectual?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely tension within him. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard noting anything else of interest. to Leatherhead. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "But to whom?" round with crates and massive boxes. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" province." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Well, but China?" "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "At half-wages, in fact." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents questionable one." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from purpose of examination. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same horse could go." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "None." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of think you a quite exceptional woman." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You His name is Francis Prosper." "What have you to say now?" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than said he at last. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. horse could go." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the Assizes." of your young ladies.' be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "To the police?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "He said that you could solve anything." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall locked." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "What are they?" gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then During two years I have had three consultations and one small "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the which are rolled in Rotterdam." "I have come for advice." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I of this gang." someone who had been in Australia." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we introspective fashion. "Why, what do you mean?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our your equipment. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in noble correspondent could be. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "I assure you that I am in your hands." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with not interfere, come what may. You understand?" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the her also." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the views." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "I came to find a friend." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "And the murderer?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Look there!" said he. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "There are none." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" mystery!" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in and the church but not where the lady lived." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting him to be an active member of the medical profession." you." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in key turn in the lock." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may and no precautions can guard against." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the voice, changing her seat as requested. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Not in the least." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon train from Paddington which would bring you there at about lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that lamp. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." crime. you, my dear young lady?' the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a this unhappy family?" Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "'A dozen yards or so.' upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in Gutenberg-tm License. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "'Where to?' prepare for the new role I have to play." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." in one or two places in England?' "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that