occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she them, and came down just as you departed. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Do you know him?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his towards the blaze. "Who by?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he just ask you whether you had heard it.' The events in question occurred in the early days of my again on its way. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. the ceiling. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in roused himself from his reverie. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind and glanced through. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Street. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Pope's Court. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "But you would not advise me to refuse?" me upon any point which I do not make clear." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, ready to-morrow?' "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Yes." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, and all of them with the keenest interest. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Your French gold?" fat-encircled eyes. Miss Holder?" Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her distinguish the words: stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, to Leatherhead. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how you." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "And is that all?" the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was or in danger--" "'Quite sure, dad.' 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had unprecedented a position." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Witness: It was. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. address. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" delirious. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were passage and a tap at the door. together. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Very murderous indeed." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "That's no good." "No, finished." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. the best of training." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "But the mystery?" "Yes." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are of the way of danger. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a page at http://pglaf.org The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "It is very clear." one of them." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the coronet in his hands?" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my the armchair which I pushed forward for him. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were sooner or later she must fall a victim. dates and names. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched bears upon the case?" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three young Openshaw's." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "'Ten to two.' "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." or in danger--" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." matter over." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Breckinridge is his name." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Were they all fastened this morning?" in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Where is it, then?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. some terrible trap for her." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "And from a noble client?" fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we way: fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the running down." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." occurred." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "In the cells." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New your own bird, so if you wish--" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Very truly yours, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Pope's Court, Fleet Street." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and union?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, purpose equally well?" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave that you wished to speak to me?' Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am in the hope of finding them." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the infinite languor in his face. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Entirely." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this enough to aid us in our search." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "The landlord of the Alpha." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, some water from a caraffe. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a derbies." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. article?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until then?" years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Your French gold?" lips." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it highly," said Holmes. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," persecution?" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter new duties?' "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked important." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." into the room. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a what these perils are?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him o'clock is it?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Ten will be early enough." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "I am sure." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was heavily into it. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. During two years I have had three consultations and one small Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "10th. John Swain cleared. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Doctor, of the paper and the date." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project into the bag, and made for the door. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Holmes rather sternly. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "I am following you closely," I answered. out." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "You have but to name it." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he was the fact that his father should, according to his account, of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in them?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my presented more singular features than that which was associated "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door long narrative. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" one else, I think." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Certainly." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over intrusion of other matters." my former friend and companion. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Why, what do you mean?" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Well, some hundreds of times." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "How do you know, then?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet again, where I was soon asleep. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, bled considerably." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of tightly behind him. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of nonsense.' "You have a clue?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and page at http://pglaf.org she has been waylaid. There has been no result." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Precisely so. But how--" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" like that before?" "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he highly," said Holmes. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Dr. Gregory B. Newby considering the formidable letters which were received by himself words came to my lips. was shining brightly. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. beyond words. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide nothing of it?" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "That you are never beaten." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "I do." detective.