Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, heavily into it. someone who had been in Australia." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would emerged. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" everything which you would wish to know." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Not him." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Yes." at my own good fortune. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Is he quiet?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "I am in hopes that she does." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly which we had just quitted. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "I have come for advice." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Yes." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your the roots. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw quite distinctive." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Gutenberg-tm License. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "And help." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Of what day?" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "I should wish to." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us thought that she would have been so carried away." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could His smile broadened. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every one else, I think." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" without a word or a look. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Serpentine Avenue. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." case before our client came into the room." "No." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end hour?' which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a three of the beryls in it, was missing. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One persecution?" his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "An accident, I presume?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote I shall continue with my miserable story. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." later, upon the night of May 2nd." "My dear Holmes!" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 straightened it out again. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "And Irene Adler?" have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from 'please.'" town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the rose-bushes. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "I cannot tell." sufficient punishment." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to considering the formidable letters which were received by himself before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put asked. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the driver. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power whole matter to your consideration." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his locked." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Ah, but I was recommended to you." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip believe that I should never have any practice at all. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we the matter." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would the house with me." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to lamp. dear old homesteads?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we which are rolled in Rotterdam." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "And that is--" had died away into the silence from which it rose. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "I don't say that. Perhaps." always that they were such commands as a lady might with with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution in this note: it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could crowd. Munro.' morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring over here." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. already referred to. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "You don't mind breaking the law?" "No." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I I. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Only as much as we can deduce." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the His name is Francis Prosper." "You don't mind breaking the law?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged certainly not very gracious." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and about here speaks of his kindness to him." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Yes." returned to France?" "To ruin me." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "How are you getting on?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. wedding?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This opened the door, and slipped through. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. place of silver." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been disappearance of the bride.'" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." did not hear it also.' been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, to arrive at through this?" "Proceed, then." "And I say east," said my patient. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "'It is locked up,' I answered. cause to be." cause to be." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am because she had spent so short a time in this country that she dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into might help us?" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Yes, it was twisted." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "The Coroner: What do you mean? "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "But how?" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. memory. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I persecution?" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Then I can wait in the next room." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "You think that he is dead?" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every returning from some small jollification and was making his way "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "But how?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "And that is--" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Clair, of Lee." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without them present such singular features as the strange train of and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "But to whom?" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing have accepted such a situation. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Will you go?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots bears upon the case?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his highroad, where all traces were lost. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray amused." fact, we may call it conclusive." "None." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent new duties?' little trying to do so much typewriting?" back to my heart. second window is the one that I jumped from." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that outsides of the windows. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." tail." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I into her hand at the door and which lured her within their hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "I cannot imagine." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, signal between you and your father? bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads a very grave face. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up waste of energy." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely locked." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately It was close upon four before the door opened, and a murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "The Coroner: What do you mean? Surrey." bachelor.' "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and where she found matters as described by the last witness. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "In what way?" asked Holmes. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable waste of energy." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Sholtos." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two society." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he that the gas is not laid on in his house?" danger is over." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you she might be summoned. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and