"For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads where Mr. Fordham shows you.' undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is in the hope of finding them." "Of what day?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "None." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the bled considerably." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." death." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "A thing like a cleaver," said he. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the recover the gem." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "No." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you question," said Holmes, smiling. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "That also I could fathom." visitors." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Where, indeed?" question. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "I will, Miss Turner." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which tell him that I know him to be innocent." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "I will do it." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for national property. I was determined that the law should have its say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper me upon any point which I do not make clear." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Have you her photograph?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "In what way?" asked Holmes. "No." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as Cross for the Continent." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" trying to your nerves." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to place, I think that there is good ground to think that the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and ways including including checks, online payments and credit card photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds cost them two and thirty pounds." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I standing smiling on the door-step. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior upon the white wrist. which our visitor detailed to us. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted shoulder. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very speckled band?" across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "'Which dealer's?' absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal or other trace. But how on earth--" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope place no limit on the sum I may draw." "May I see it?" Holmes. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated which it had come upon my father." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "What! Had he lost his wife?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we best detective that ever lived. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm spark where all is dark to me." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, arrangements." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Which surely he restored to their owner?" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" felt the room to be a little close.' the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his again on its way. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when was a loud and authoritative tap. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the Chief Executive and Director my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought always that they were such commands as a lady might with Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another has little to do with my story." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Could he throw no light?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "'A dozen yards or so.' to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "My dear Holmes!" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." you." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two window when the police appeared." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me I nodded again. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity already referred to. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Not in the least." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the did not hear it also.' "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the again on its way. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. approach us with offers to donate. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you characteristics, but those are the more obvious." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass coat-tails." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, there was no need for father to know." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether arrested. You then--" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle bonnet, and went out." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. ventilator." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and not, dad?" she asked. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing are windows in it, of course?" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, in the dead of the night?' breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over learned something! Where are the gems?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "'Never.' manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body his grey eyes. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to foot. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. pictures, libraries, or plate. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't you give your casting vote to?" success. suddenly upon us." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement lips." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United was the fact that his father should, according to his account, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "No?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see London for the present?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right hour?' was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my papers must be those that are destroyed.' then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am residence of the great financier. entirely devoid of interest." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "One?" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down leaning back in his chair. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "She will not sell." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, galvanised. "Your presence might be invaluable." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, client, rising. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Whose house is it?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur asked. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a him and tried to hold him back. "Did you become engaged then?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down matter." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a hands. "Not in a good cause." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's head. So long, then!" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "I see many objections to any such theory." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses meanly of me." "Witness: I must still refuse. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of vanished into the darkness. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the said he. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "It is to him that this trophy belongs." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with one or two very singular points about this room. For example, do.' down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. The summons was a brief and urgent one. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment is four-and-twenty." I am not easy in my mind about them." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil chance." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "It is possible." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. to-night?' of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue Have you good authority for what you say?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" until night should bring an explanation. morning." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project companion imperturbably. may never be exposed to such a temptation." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "My own seal." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Eyford at 11:15.' wedding?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "What then?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Yes." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "'No, I know no one in these parts.' I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "You have compromised yourself seriously." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been written. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, that I am arrested." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always said he. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the him. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son records." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." disappearance of the bride.'" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace of." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "'I am sure if I had known--' "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. yet." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, prison!" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. train.' "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. evidence," I remarked. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the was a perfect sample of the class. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so strode off upon his way. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that