down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. which are rolled in Rotterdam." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the good for you to do.' which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have simple cases which are so extremely difficult." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the of a light. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' points in connection with it which never have been, and probably troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" should be taken.' He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the visitors." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "He said that you could solve anything." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry a suggestive one." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very that, and I came down." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite three fields round his house, and there he would take his strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your because she had spent so short a time in this country that she feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "I don't believe it." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met that you can jump it.' ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or death." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about carriage. It was a chestnut." his face which made him a very different person to the round, and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in I nodded again. corner of the building. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "None." "Yes." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. chance." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Where is it, then?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you second window is the one that I jumped from." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Yesterday." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your I nodded to show that I had heard. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I have not had my rubber." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, was used.' was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "I cannot say that I have." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "I do." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark should be taken.' down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; certainly do as you advise." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Was she in good spirits?" footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "From his hat?" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office correct than the official force." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. may never be exposed to such a temptation." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Holmes. wanted for ourselves." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "None." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a questionable one." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "It may not come to that," said Holmes. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, in the port of London." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "'Most admirably.' "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "I will try. What is it?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Miss Holder?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I awkward doing business with an alias." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings never came back." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "What! You do not mean bodies?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, be there in time for your coming." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to electronic works can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my there were one or two details which were new to me. But the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows said he. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Her father is very rich?" or in danger--" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some was a loud and authoritative tap. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it that he will be back before evening." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round the warnings." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "I have come for advice." the bottom.' if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your outsides of the windows. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Nothing?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and charge against him will break down." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Why, what do you mean?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. writers could invent nothing more crude." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love learned something! Where are the gems?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, have been better. It is all right." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for salesman. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled residence of the great financier. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' placed his cuttings. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "I am in hopes that she does." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply advice." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "About a month then." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made window when the police appeared." the south-west, I see." him to go away.' as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I happened." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "What then?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "And what then?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Will you bet, then?" fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' it. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "I am armed." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! you." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Eyford at 11:15.' "But to whom?" "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and believe that I should never have any practice at all. the salesman. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you one which it was hard to resist. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present have had none more fantastic than this." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "To ruin me." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had will he say when he returns?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Stolen, then." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "No. His orders were to stay in the house." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the important." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "'As governess?' dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and in this note: It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the been able to understand it, in a very few words. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the your troubles." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," opened a pocket-book and took out a note. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too forbidden door. "It is true that I have been generally successful." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "What! You do not mean bodies?" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "How did he come?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "The Coroner: What do you mean? room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "'Then let me do so?' served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough way: it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, to a light-house. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are photograph?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Was she in good spirits?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either ready to-morrow?' for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Have you it here?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Come in!" said Holmes. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "What is it, then--a fire?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and south, for the country is more deserted there." highly," said Holmes. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps tied." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Then how many are there?" happened." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. look dissatisfied." not, dad?" she asked. For additional contact information: were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." your most interesting statement." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. answered with a sidelong glance. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all upon a handsome competence. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. will he say when he returns?" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. that I can to serve you." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She Miss Holder?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All goes." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal morning." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of that threaten you." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "By train from Waterloo." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the room. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, DISSOLVED. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I national property. I was determined that the law should have its of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too she slowly sank and died without having recovered her position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that thin legs towards the fire. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Witness: I must still refuse. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know acquaintance?" photograph?" their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is there." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "And help." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round