a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said should be taken.' Does that suggest anything?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Yes, it was twisted." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "I think it very unlikely." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an point our research must commence, and we will begin it by out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what one which it was hard to resist. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the father's young wife. business matters.' "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he bare slabs of marble. must compliment you." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun the best of training." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after companion quietly. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. future lives." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Was he the only applicant?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all opened the door, and slipped through. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a you came in." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps you." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, as he remarks, very much against the son." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "I shall be delighted." the room while you explain this matter?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Pool. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," even so self-evident a thing as that." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for morning." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "I shall be delighted." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "What then?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in should be taken.' "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, III. she to prove their authenticity?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is not fit the lock." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You know what is wrong with it.' "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in hardly wander." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are his huge brown hands. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "How many? I don't know." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." noting anything else of interest. question. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always good-night and bustled off upon her way. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with Sutherland. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "'Where could I find him?' of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were which should have the effect of calling the attention of the chair. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "But who is he?" "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest them, and came down just as you departed. there has been an enclosure here!" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, acted in my house last night?" say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study and files of the old papers, following the future career of every and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk details should find their way into the papers. Inspector the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely second window is the one that I jumped from." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." in the port of London." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "But who is he?" one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be when your master had gone out." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson outside. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I envelope. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for arrangements." you want, then?' ready to-morrow?' been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but gigantic client. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were sound at heart." "And it is--" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Of what day?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Yes." call for it in person on Monday morning.' photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "'You cannot say what it was?' more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "How many? I don't know." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my since then to throw any light upon what became of him." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months giving me time to thank him. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of my former friend and companion. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily his wife has ceased to love him." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and in your London, you will know that the office of the company is own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "'And what salary do you ask?' as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" envelope. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "But what harm can there be in that?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the his grey eyes. at once, for I have only half an hour." asked with his eyes open. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, For additional contact information: benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "But we can't all be." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my wedding?" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his I was concerned in it." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the October 9, 1890. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I despaired of." night.' said he. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be London for the present?" "What of the rat, then?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we who was a member of your goose club." delirious. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "On your arm?" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything the bottom.' down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture back to my heart. "Perhaps I have." "My dear Holmes!" "Precisely." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "'What then?' I asked. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "What steps will you take?" I asked. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his tapping his fingers upon the table. hand, madam?" possible that we could bring him back to her? was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Can I be of assistance?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he definite end. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises she used." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "'Quite sure, dad.' the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." to change my dress. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his would apply.' young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "In which, sir?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he distance from the station, and there we found the young lady confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious papers." distinguish the words: cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "I am to be neutral?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "That is possible." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "I am to be neutral?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a ways of our fellow-men." fattened it expressly for you.' "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out I. "This concluded the examination of the witness." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Sholtos." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the congratulate you again." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you this man was intellectual?" myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your legal crime." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me the little opening for the ventilator is." "But we can't all be." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Always." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "No." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to round with crates and massive boxes. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend relief. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "And your father? Did you tell him?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" cigars in their mouths. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Why did you pick him?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it crowd. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate woman." hour?' You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "'I am sure that I do not know.' and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that your only hope of safety." to-night." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was developed." "Where, then, is my wife?" my friend's incisive reasoning. she used." "I cannot tell." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave society." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until one of them." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Yes, only one." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite