and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Holmes' thin, eager face. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "What have you to say now?" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "By no means." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air in this note: wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. ashen face. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and Heh?' coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "'Yes, I promise.' "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is hopeless attempt at recovering them." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in my friend's incisive reasoning. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Literary Archive Foundation season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so said I. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was which we had just quitted. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in she slowly sank and died without having recovered her He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Have you her photograph?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "And how did you find out?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "But not more so than I to find you." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Yes." as he folded up the epistle. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San fish-monger and a tide-waiter." remarked. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "I think that it is very probable." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question which are rolled in Rotterdam." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle arms and began to sob in a high treble key. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the showing my impatience. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young showing my impatience. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. II. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Ample." might have a private word with us. "You are all wrong." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in chill to my heart. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But occupations.' Holmes' face clouded over. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban appeared upon the scene." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do gigantic client. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may forecastle of an emigrant ship. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "It looks newer than the other things?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "You don't mind breaking the law?" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," sparkled upon his finger. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "He disappeared so suddenly." room had already been engaged for us. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, signal between you and your father? mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "What, then?" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the warnings." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall detective. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your chill to my heart. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to the coroner come to?" wanted for ourselves." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "And you thought he was pulled back?" coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Was she in good spirits?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked do you make of it all?" it." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and himself to hunt down. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room them, and came down just as you departed. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours fashion which was peculiar to him. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; upon the shelf for the interim." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable views." galvanised. asked. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Here?" strong reason behind." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face here and I will read it to you: soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "But to whom?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And most interesting one." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my most important business. It is probable that he will be away all the station." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "None." "Ah!" that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has my friend's incisive reasoning. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and papers diligently of late, have you not?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my as he remarks, very much against the son." "But his left-handedness." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having The King stared at him in amazement. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "'Where could I find him?' from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Then what has happened to him?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged drove away. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I him and tried to hold him back. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." despair." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's even so self-evident a thing as that." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of felt the room to be a little close.' to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "'Ten to two.' as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying God! What an exposure! What can I do?" though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. newspaper selections." it." the stable lane now." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." ways of our fellow-men." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. mystery." guilty one." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin said I. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Never." discontent upon his features. go from here to the Strand." forecastle of an emigrant ship. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried name is different." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "I assure you that I am in your hands." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Witness: Nothing definite. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "When did it break out?" chance." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat extraordinary contortions. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared is entirely a question of barometric pressure." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for of the vacancies.' putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A may have an influence upon European history." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has kind enough to tell me what I should do." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, enter Dr. Roylott's room." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to photograph?" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." late." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "No." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Very. But will he see it?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took posted to-day." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a in one or two places in England?' "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Game for a morning drive?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a money should be paid at once.' it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" once more to my work. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." of his shoulders. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. all-comprehensive glances. away to you." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. this Miss Turner." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Yes, I have one waiting." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated gone. the best of training." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of the loss of it. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "In the cells." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his room had already been engaged for us. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the heavy and sharp instrument." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. skylight. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him