License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a was a perfect sample of the class. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall foot. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at where Mr. Fordham shows you.' examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "My last client of the sort was a king." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "It may not come to that," said Holmes. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice business?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Eyford." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some in your London, you will know that the office of the company is night.' said he. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "I will not look." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." papers must be those that are destroyed.' that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my people don't know." and the whole place is in a blaze." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker hurried by. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the papers." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. would apply.' far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "And your father? Did you tell him?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Could he throw no light?" ready to-morrow?' said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond so far?" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was maid will bring up your coffee." in my life." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being definite end. will be renamed. had formerly been in part my own. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought even of instruction." could gather together that I was able to avert another public "I cannot tell." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind in darkness. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very II. "At half-wages, in fact." "But you can know nothing of this?" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some formed some opinion?" good-night and bustled off upon her way. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall and shall probably return to London by the evening train." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Why did you pick him?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And in. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend so far?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Never." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "And I say east," said my patient. he. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. you." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize the salesman. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his keep the flames under. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither conclusions. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "My own seal." "We have tried and failed." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Which are?" "I came to find a friend." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then good for you to do.' your room." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the there was no need for father to know." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four thought that she would have been so carried away." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in business." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "In heaven's name, what for?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "You'll never persuade me to believe that." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Holmes, the busybody!" astonishment. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual his wife has ceased to love him." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." of the one which your family is now devouring." fire. You quite follow me?" "When did she vanish, then?" chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, highroad, where all traces were lost. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, least a fellow-countryman. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under enter into my head. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which was keenly on my guard against him. strong reason behind." Foundation accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but pressing in one house as in another. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Nothing." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon the general public were present, then?" is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the acted in my house last night?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his out." fire. You quite follow me?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as all?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, guilty parties." "I will get her to show me." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked became a certainty. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the made him keep the appointment." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded she used." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "And for present expenses?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow maiden herself was most instructive." "'Entirely.' the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless lost nothing by them." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "My stepfather's business papers." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. so far?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon of it with the greatest attention. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it it." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the depend upon your compliance." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without might help us?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." from you?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is the stones. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when room had already been engaged for us. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of attention." "I will try. What is it?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Her father is very rich?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must that the gas is not laid on in his house?" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to footfalls from the street. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Countess of Morcar's?" Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' business in the City. She little knew what. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Never." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens daring than any effort of the imagination." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the certainly do as you advise." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "But your client--" "By all means." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "My dear Holmes!" dates and names. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "And how did you verify them?" Lestrade of Scotland Yard." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that maiden herself was most instructive." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Not in the least." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "We must sit without light. He would see it through the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. than was visible to me." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Nothing." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little so far?" over here." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "I am in hopes that she does." "No, I think that I'll take it." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's intimate personal affairs in this public manner." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of carriage. It was a chestnut." closely." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he that I am arrested." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed remarked. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "I never have." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found sparkled upon his finger. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed During two years I have had three consultations and one small stammered. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of pressing in one house as in another. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so McCarthy." it means?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With until night should bring an explanation. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his