"'And what salary do you ask?' business matters.' explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and chance." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Your French gold?" cheerful." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "I cannot imagine." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of gigantic client. Eyford." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. derbies." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "At what time?" "What I expected to see." from you?" "You have but to name it." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. the general public were present, then?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, in the port of London." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, you." was a lad." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my outside. strong and stiff." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "'And the work?' Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you was keenly on my guard against him. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments completely overtopped every other consideration that we both A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Yes." to-night." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "In what way?" asked Holmes. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he matter." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in observed. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. if she died from some sudden fright." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Gutenberg-tm License. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "But how will you look?" "And how did you find out?" "I beg pardon." breakfast?" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the whatever might befall. people don't know." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "But she will refuse." be sorry for having acted so harshly." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, never to learn it at all." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever to tell." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "What will you say?" pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "It was." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "I have a cab outside." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is lost nothing by them." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my You want to know what became of those geese?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds one's self under obligations.' "Well, but China?" the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found death." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or have got?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "That is unusual in a young girl." third from London." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. hereditary King of Bohemia." maid will bring up your coffee." Count Von Kramm." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," way: as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the I shall continue with my miserable story. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" which our visitor detailed to us. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of sake, don't!" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Won't it ring?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a you want, then?' cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, hurried away. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "But it has twice been burgled." experiences." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a and your relations to her." electronic works I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now IS belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "And your father? Did you tell him?" States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. that I may have something better before very many minutes are the very letters. But what is this written above them?' The telegram which we eventually received came late one night and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was there when the Rucastles went away." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "'As governess?' and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then views." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to round with crates and massive boxes. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Then, how do you know?" forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Where is it, then?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some extraordinary contortions. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she place, I think that there is good ground to think that the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Then he might have called to you?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, have an American origin." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "What, then?" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this which should have the effect of calling the attention of the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of throat." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was Leave Paddington by the 11:15." at my remark. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few papers diligently of late, have you not?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, companion imperturbably. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. wall." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" What do you deduce from it?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "A greater distance to travel." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been about here speaks of his kindness to him." had picked up in the wood. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. in. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "That is it on the dressing-table." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing thin legs towards the fire. companion. "No, distinctly professional." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "It certainly sounds feasible." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every shaken than I had ever seen him. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' eat it." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One the little opening for the ventilator is." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty light and attacked it." "But I am all in the dark." fire. You quite follow me?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the purpose equally well?" there." it." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that II. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Absolutely none." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "To the police?" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to not fit the lock." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it tell him that I know him to be innocent." II. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by which should have the effect of calling the attention of the beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "He is still with you, I presume?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the of campaign. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, on in his house." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Not in the least." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "We must have a cab." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke business at Coburg Square is serious." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "It came here." "Have you her photograph?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "And it is--" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. was not a bird to be seen there. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw pity, because in other respects you would really have done very a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "That is unusual in a young girl." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would all?" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." waste of energy." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course fire. You quite follow me?" "No good news?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "'In my own bureau.' I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Here?" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to something of him before." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the dangers which encompass me." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Can I be of assistance?" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He touch that coronet?' desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any pound a week." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "What steps will you take?" I asked. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left back alive. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "It was an hour's good drive." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Witness: I must still refuse. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I answer." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "How long did she speak to this Alice?" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the