up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my page at http://pglaf.org the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone Holmes' room. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon once more to my work. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should weapon." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "It is true that I have been generally successful." did not hear it also.' "Certainly." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "'What do you call purely nominal?' presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "What! You do not mean bodies?" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Yes, certainly." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he to me. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of at once, for I have only half an hour." "And what did you see?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Well, but China?" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I should be taken.' "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Very murderous indeed." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the his fortune, and I went back to pa. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the carried out of court." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "I will, Miss Turner." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My to miss it." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of public press." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent once more for Briony Lodge. hour." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "This photograph!" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "The murder was done with it." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to remarked. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all empty. garden below. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have distinguish the words: Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a gone. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Yes, it was twisted." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." happened." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this strode off upon his way. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "That is it on the dressing-table." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than over here." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "And how?" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, matters immensely." II. recover the gem." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Here?" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham corner of the building. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "But he might be a bachelor." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of morning." call it cruel." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "How did he come?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is so.' nights." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that that I am arrested." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of are, I think, all that we need." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself definite end. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with more terrible than the truth. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "The doctor?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "But I am all in the dark." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Why, it's a dummy," said he. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly and have this put in the evening papers." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him returned to France?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One which it had come upon my father." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm you found me to-night--and running through the front room she usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. I leave." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" your sleep?' and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the loss of it. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this chance at all." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, and the colonel ushered me in. hopeless attempt at recovering them." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That his face which made him a very different person to the round, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which danger is over." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and your Highness to the police-station?" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to round with crates and massive boxes. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of indeed which he could not unravel. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "You think so, too?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love know what is wrong with it.' practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can your own bird, so if you wish--" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and relief. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, danger is over." her also." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of bears upon the case?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. go back?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to triumphant cloud from his cigarette. are, and they are waiting for us." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and one of the states of the Union." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon evidence," I remarked. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. go--none." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable 1.E.9. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, congratulate you again." have been better. It is all right." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm him. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced coat-tails." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a where she found matters as described by the last witness. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house asked. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss residence of the great financier. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "You are all wrong." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes public press." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring went to the Alpha were town bred." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "But you were on a friendly footing?" meant." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. speckled band?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Your presence might be invaluable." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips you." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Was he the only applicant?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "You know me, then?" "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of tension within him. "Pray continue your narrative." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be touch that coronet?' breakfast?" "What then?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so acted in my house last night?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Oh, the cause is excellent!" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek society." good for you to do.' whatever might befall. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the call you and give you the chance." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to disappearance of the bride.'" married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party assist you in forming an opinion." the so-precious time, but come!' The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. fait accompli?" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, will not take me long to tell. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Sutherland. giving me time to thank him. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "I will do it." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran she slowly sank and died without having recovered her black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only eat it." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Mrs. Toller serenely. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "But you can know nothing of this?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our awkward doing business with an alias." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "I have hopes." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, the salesman. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a woman who has had her own way to make in the world. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to interested in these little problems, and since you are good "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Sutherland?" present." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be showing my impatience. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms used to be." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall http://www.gutenberg.net "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the is four-and-twenty." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls