"I have my revolver," said I. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that digesting their breakfasts at home." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "'I shall certainly be there.' question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically one which it was hard to resist. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to call the police, let the police find what they can.' "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Then how many are there?" "I say that I have solved it." followed. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Indeed! Whose, then?" "You were travelling in the States?" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "No." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt and effective." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, least a most suspicious remark." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a your most interesting statement." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had hurried away. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet works. matters immensely." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still front of the hall door has given its name to the place. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored not use it unless it is absolutely needed." do.' "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "No, my brougham is waiting." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with strength in the others." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Then he might have called to you?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was that you wished to speak to me?' A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, client, rising. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you woman." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "'And the work?' "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off she has been waylaid. There has been no result." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it putting in the horse. even of instruction." "Nothing." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, father's place of business?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" have established a very serious case against the son of the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most certainly do as you advise." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, mysterious business." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "It is his hat." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet charge against him will break down." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the joking. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "This concluded the examination of the witness." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door to me. "Then you may be so with me." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter occupations.' is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "To an English lawyer named Norton." bill, which interests me deeply." you in yours." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his people in all walks of life. looking up at the numbers of the houses." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when directly by questioning you." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was his face which made him a very different person to the round, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself opened a pocket-book and took out a note. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my returning from some small jollification and was making his way "I am armed." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Yes." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be extraordinary contortions. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. several quiet little villages up there." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." man. I know him from the photograph." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Absolutely none." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "I beg pardon." "Yes, at the mines." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. said I. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "'Certainly not. But why?' "Very well, sir. And this stone?" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the forbidden door. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of upon the white wrist. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something was keenly on my guard against him. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Then, how do you know?" own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always one of them." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "I promise," said Holmes. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "No, I think that I'll take it." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. figure." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little empty. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was might help us?" "An accident, I presume?" to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his security.' shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few only touch the interest." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon paper in the air. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "None." "My dear Holmes!" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very of your young ladies.' the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. and glanced through. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. one of them." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a back to my heart. occurred." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "At half-wages, in fact." electronic works on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the you in yours." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, I was concerned in it." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by delighted to hear it," he said. once more to my work. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his with some details as to your case." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised his knees, staring into the fire. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon himself to tell his story. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right money should be paid at once.' word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free read over the extraordinary announcement. think that any burglar could have done. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "'What do you call purely nominal?' wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." status with the IRS. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Did he not advertise?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise skylight. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have rooms." secret." mysterious business." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening is now desirous of getting those letters back." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "'Yes.' room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an bachelor.' all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" best detective that ever lived. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this himself. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "'Yes.' investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Why did you pick him?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "I would pay ten." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Was she in good spirits?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "'Yes, sir.' appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived national property. I was determined that the law should have its had picked up in the wood. "I answered that I had not. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst your equipment. were wasted." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a pity, because in other respects you would really have done very living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to at a side door. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have and glanced through. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' some terrible trap for her." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in as he remarks, very much against the son." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else For additional contact information: baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of leave you to your papers for a little." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." breakfast?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of down. II. fattened it expressly for you.' weigh very heavily upon my conscience." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what any." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Where, then?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "I should wish to." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "And why?" I nodded again. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by I think that I could be of assistance to you." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Where does the thing come from?' minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after goes." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we again, where I was soon asleep. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Not in a good cause." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "And your father? Did you tell him?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and is acting for the best. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to conclusions. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should where we are going." not within a twentieth part of the market price." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I the loss of it. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed returning from some small jollification and was making his way clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "And the murderer?" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, with you?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's address. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke in him." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? The events in question occurred in the early days of my for the market.' "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "We must sit without light. He would see it through the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at keep the flames under. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "That also I could fathom." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. crowd. Watson," he said cordially. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Yes, but only for you and me." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between away into the river." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she furiously. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, companion quietly. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, empty.