he. "You have compromised yourself seriously." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears someone who had been in Australia." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and system of imprisonment?" Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Then the page we have seen--" step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite salesman. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern the stones. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "And your father? Did you tell him?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They suddenly upon us." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning bedroom door." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "No?" "I see no marks." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another morning." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right have an American origin." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "So it appears." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get over with notes and figures. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "'I have already given you my word.' together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to vague figure huddled up in the darkness. was not a bird to be seen there. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What you for a few hours?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a page at http://pglaf.org after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, pound a week." respectable self." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Yes, the wine-cellar." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of cheerful." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. this poor creature." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "My opinion is in no way altered." highroad, where all traces were lost. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "And what then?" planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "No." the salesman. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that him." "My last client of the sort was a king." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources silent! Oh, he will be silent!' perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was DISSOLVED. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven official police." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the whereabouts. fattened it expressly for you.' "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. acted in my house last night?" "Well, it is a possible supposition." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his What do you deduce from it?" owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "So I heard. You have him here?" Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a you for a few hours?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet I took the paper from him and read as follows: Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage washing it down with a long draught of water. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he death." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in and no precautions can guard against." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever recall any case within my experience which looked at the first usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform and inquire as to the address." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no is acting for the best. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: open." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become During two years I have had three consultations and one small yards of it?' "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "But how?" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission will not take me long to tell. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "'Certainly not.' As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "I shall most certainly do so." the inner apartment." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "'Certainly,' I answered. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. from you?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the bed, and you in that chair." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from rose-bushes. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Come in!" said he. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it then?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It furiously. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "I am about to be married." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Breckinridge is his name." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He at a side door. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "And how did he make his money?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and the best of training." over here." Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Could he throw no light?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in something of him before." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. and capable of preserving a secret.' nights." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, congenial hunt. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Yes, that is the Crown." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "You have carte blanche." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls laugh and put his lips to my ear. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Where did you address your letters, then?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out as he folded up the epistle. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, bedroom door." "Your French gold?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to the tragedy. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and where she found matters as described by the last witness. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and power." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "I am sure." "'It is locked up,' I answered. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and investigation." "And Irene Adler?" think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' the nursery. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and foresight and the moral retrogression?" I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "I was mad--insane." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to what do you think they found in the pockets?" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of cheerful." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that business?" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "And how did you find out?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "By all means." "No." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Stoke Moran?" said he. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to to-night's adventure." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "'And the work?' clanging. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "No, thank goodness, she did not." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked is so. I know all about McCarthy." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was jewels which you have stolen?' "None." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" affection." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Why? What do you mean?" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a papers diligently of late, have you not?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the him and tried to hold him back. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of from the brougham. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "He said that you could solve anything." "The gentleman I describe." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough nonsense.' making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if bill, which interests me deeply." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." companion. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Whose house is it?" together. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "'Is purely nominal.' should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "'In my own bureau.' arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where hand, madam?" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "One of the highest in England." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. bedroom door." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of fuss that is made over them." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Has he come with you to-night?" "When did she vanish, then?" upon the shelf for the interim." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" from the brougham. man. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was him." most interesting one." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "'Is purely nominal.' road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the may have an influence upon European history." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. and put his glass in his pocket. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or a suggestive one." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "You don't mind breaking the law?" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence someone who had been in Australia." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "He said too much." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. to a light-house. "But the mystery?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations