informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not him." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the south-west, I see." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "I will get her to show me." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Where to?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Pray do so." it." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "I am all attention, madam." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut meant it for the best. imbecility!" he cried. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper developed." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "But the mystery?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "What are they?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought then?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Why did you beat the pavement?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you get the tickets." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "He said too much." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "My photograph." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, remarked. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "'Never,' said I. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." side. felt?" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Did you become engaged then?" chance." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "My opinion is in no way altered." the coronet at all injured?" Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "From his hat?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Then I can wait in the next room." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man have not had my rubber." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, present." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it character. but preventing her from injuring another. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you see a sister of mine apply for." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to away into the river." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, some terrible trap for her." locked. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "What do you mean?" "You did not overhear what they said?" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." During two years I have had three consultations and one small present." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. off." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See is a common subject for conversation. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up passage and a tap at the door. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Stoke Moran." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "How are you getting on?" will find little credit to be gained out of this case." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents writing, and yet I know it well." the date of his supposed suicide." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend so far?" of campaign. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "So it appears." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. me where it went to?" "Of what day?" forehead. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit approach us with offers to donate. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "What can it mean?" I gasped. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "To ruin me." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the was shining brightly. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the whole matter to your consideration." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "This photograph!" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "It is very clear." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the gone. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney child?' an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began to have that photograph." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." to his chemical studies. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "And what did you learn from him?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that could gather together that I was able to avert another public she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "You saw the ventilator, too?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the II. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "I have seen the police." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport to surprise her." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of flock.' He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "I shall most certainly do so." gone before you can get him to hospital." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Has he come with you to-night?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Married! When?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, his knees, staring into the fire. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" of campaign. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so most interesting one." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, meanly of me." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge has little to do with my story." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes my special province." clang of the bell. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." papers must be those that are destroyed.' wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best business matters.' "I cannot imagine." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Look there!" said he. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for this truth that in these little records of our cases which you whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of completely overtopped every other consideration that we both little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he of them has the shutters up.' shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that are, I think, all that we need." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am of campaign. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. that there was nothing in it, after all." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope province." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch have I gained?" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was looking up at the numbers of the houses." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Will you bet, then?" "'Very good.' went to the Alpha were town bred." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features in him." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man For additional contact information: with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "He said that you could solve anything." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out troubles have been weighing upon his mind. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "And how in the world did you find them?" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth overpowering excitement and concern. "Yes, I have one waiting." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Yes, but only for you and me." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "But you have hopes?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Nearly eleven." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ tapping his fingers upon the table. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a tear off another piece?' "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their you, my dear young lady?' never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "The Cedars?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "By train from Waterloo." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the Holmes." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. said Mr. Holder. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and said he. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able during that time.' good for you to do.' "None." main points of my analysis." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." new acquaintance to Baker Street. "And why?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your have one." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. look dissatisfied." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the might help us?" that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about as noiselessly as she had come. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on visitors." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all."