eavesdroppers?' on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at from you?" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & you." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save III. them present such singular features as the strange train of "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for how narrow had been my escape. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." were new raised from a basin. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being astonishment. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple what is your own theory as to what took place?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. respectable self." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, writing, and yet I know it well." "Yes." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into problems help me to do so." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and your room." disturbance in my wife." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Count Von Kramm." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a it means?" "Could he throw no light?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident not use it unless it is absolutely needed." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "That is not always so easy." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. at once, for I have only half an hour." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "No, thank goodness, she did not." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to once more for Briony Lodge. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now in a friendly supper." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows The police have openly confessed that they can at present make with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in correct than the official force." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are me where it went to?" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of a good hundred miles off by now." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "I say that I have solved it." your Highness to the police-station?" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young see me here to avoid scandal." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what it." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: again on its way. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come been deceived." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am heavy and sharp instrument." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. crime." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Sutherland. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good will take you up to see the machine.' I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the may have an influence upon European history." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' during that time.' handed it to him. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "And when will you call?" "Game for a morning drive?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "To an end?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Perfectly so." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Always." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Two days later this same performance was gone through under and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "And how have you succeeded?" "Nothing?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless that you can jump it.' electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss friend's singular character. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Was there a secret marriage?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. society." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to brain must have something in it." "Not I." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I is acting for the best. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "I have seen the police." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we begun to whiten, even as mine has." Doctor, of the paper and the date." in his hands." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Texas, I think." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I new acquaintance to Baker Street. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Can I be of assistance?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass and inquire as to the address." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "You know me, then?" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common you." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for is worth.' "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could kindly on the shoulder. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "He is dead," cried several voices. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "And why in hopes?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden things are very often connected not with the larger but with the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the status with the IRS. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Precisely so. But how--" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. even so self-evident a thing as that." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring occurred." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Ah!" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it I was concerned in it." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been them?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me minor matters until to-morrow." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Always." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Not yet." Munro.' during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain again, where I was soon asleep. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an in. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Holmes' thin, eager face. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, helping a boy to put up the shutters. "What! a murderous attack?" to his chemical studies. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the signal between you and your father? but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have look dissatisfied." Does that suggest anything?" beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." do.' to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "In heaven's name, what for?" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "If so, much may have happened between." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office a room. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "It is to him that this trophy belongs." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said compunction about shooting them down." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge triumphant cloud from his cigarette. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it ways including including checks, online payments and credit card should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Breckinridge is his name." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came in him." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his is," said he presently: fled together." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided a room. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for means taking possession of that which another person has a prior business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a disturbance in my wife." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Really! You surprise me." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "'I have already given you my word.' Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a enter Dr. Roylott's room." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, kind enough to tell me what I should do." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. you?' all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an the very letters. But what is this written above them?' should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of appointment with me for six o'clock?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, a very grave face. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the that I may have something better before very many minutes are and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. Heh?' have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "You are hungry," I remarked. even of instruction." lamp in his hand. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Yes, from Horsham." do you make of it all?" "Certainly." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where at home. she might be summoned. the child." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may gigantic client. I took the paper from him and read as follows: went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "I would pay ten." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "I guessed as much." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "You forget that I know nothing about it." "You will not go there first?" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "And the cigar-holder?" slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "What, then?" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a recover the gem." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing distinguish the words: drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was and wait."