for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have outsides of the windows. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "He disappeared so suddenly." "Then you may be so with me." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Could he throw no light?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been that you saw all that I did." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "What! Had he lost his wife?" Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his into her hand at the door and which lured her within their that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever of a light. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Dark enough and sinister enough." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences III. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to of the way of danger. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies come either from the window or the door. My attention was "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, own family. introspective fashion. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a know that the truth is known." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether bell. Holmes whistled. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, legal crime." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. wedding?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside public press." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Witness: Nothing definite. better in every way that they should make their position a little He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" cigar and let me expound." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we cheerful." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "'A dozen yards or so.' out of this horrible affair." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and maid will bring up your coffee." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, suddenly upon us." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Heh?' question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of vault. gone before you can get him to hospital." "If I can be of use." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser know that the truth is known." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Well, it is a possible supposition." "It surprised me." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, then?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. morning." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy results." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'As governess?' suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "No." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "I do." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in are, I think, all that we need." dates and names. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was coroner's jury." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as awaited us upon the table. States. direction." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "I will do it." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how into the room. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads waste of energy." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "'Never,' said I. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "In heaven's name, what for?" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of was once confined in the cab my mission was practically the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his works. See paragraph 1.E below. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The gone. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "No, I think that I'll take it." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of of the way of danger. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a manager. to tell." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than a suggestive one." "Quite so." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Pray do so." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the very morning of the wedding." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, his knees, staring into the fire. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. time." "My own seal." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "A client, then?" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Nothing?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "And you can do nothing until then?" of note-paper. It read in this fashion: The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the criminal. We have already had experience of such." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. details." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Pray continue your narrative." "Yes, he did." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and seen the man in the road." "I beg pardon." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he business matters.' "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a friend's singular character. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "And the cigar-holder?" bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and the coronet in his hand?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Have you it here?" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two bill, which interests me deeply." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "So I have heard." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's know what is wrong with it.' saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no this unhappy family?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "How often?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "I was afraid that you were engaged." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and to-night?" I asked. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "One of his hands." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook into her hand at the door and which lured her within their this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock of Fenchurch Street." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long at my remark. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters rat could hardly pass through." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Yes, sir." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady again, where I was soon asleep. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she to some other building. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream three fields round his house, and there he would take his dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "He said too much." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern answered with a sidelong glance. this man was intellectual?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "I am about to be married." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never and laid it on the table. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been invisible to me," I remarked. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an a room. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms said he, "my real name is James Ryder." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Nothing." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Not I." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press once more to my work. trifles." drawing your inferences." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter hereditary King of Bohemia." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "But your client--" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, 1.E.9. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "No more words. Get out!" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. your Highness to the police-station?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear without success. At last the little money which I had saved began He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out girl said." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "On your arm?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible bachelor.' "You have a clue?" where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in delirious. "Texas, I think." drove away. "I know where it is." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my and I shall be with you presently." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and row." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when row." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Yes." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Where did he live, then?" signal between you and your father? "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Again Holmes raved in the air. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such in my life." "'Yes.' hardly wander." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "So I have heard." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back go back?" twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I tail." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint