"You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his room. four million human beings all jostling each other within the astonishment. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as and looked back. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "I am following you closely," I answered. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "I will not look." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "A confidential servant?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have when your master had gone out." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "I was mad--insane." "Precisely." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out with frightened eyes at his accuser. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Imitated." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their cigar and let me expound." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is your most interesting statement." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Your presence might be invaluable." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Yes." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Never." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. imbecility!" he cried. "My dear Holmes!" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat voice. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a was feeling which was the fattest.' "'And what salary do you ask?' giving me time to thank him. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either not personally threatened." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This with the outside air!" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Yes?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Now, then, what's the last entry?" step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which questionable one." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go any." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been attention." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper murdered man." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you have been better. It is all right." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell drove away. "Nothing?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest this man was intellectual?" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor woman who has had her own way to make in the world. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to God! What an exposure! What can I do?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "'What do you call purely nominal?' and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the became a certainty. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his as yours." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." affection." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated danger is over." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "How can you tell that?" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress a very grave face. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "And leave your case unfinished?" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I families. Now for the facts. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Nothing?" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to noting anything else of interest. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily occurred." the coroner come to?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "I will, Miss Turner." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. row." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that derbies." fat-encircled eyes. "That is easily got." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Precisely so. But how--" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Ample." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Yes." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "'I have already given you my word.' His smile broadened. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or indiscretion." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and tapping his fingers upon the table. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered it." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "No." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "No, I had a dozen." few hundred pounds.' at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a be best to do. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland companion quietly. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "It missed him, then?" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon again." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "But he might be a bachelor." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving danger is over." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in disturbance in my wife." up this clue while it is still hot." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch that before taking the final step I should like to submit the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to good-night and bustled off upon her way. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with frequently gained my first real insight into the character of The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Nearly eleven." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the hour." forecastle of an emigrant ship. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "I should like to see him very much." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of there was no need for father to know." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' undoubtedly my uncle's." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty to some other building. the stones. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. this Miss Turner." "And it is--" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "She will not sell." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "But what will you do?" cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Was he the only applicant?" ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "I will, Miss Turner." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a matter." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself asked with his eyes open. "Pray continue your narrative." "Yes, only one." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "He slept on the premises." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman one's self under obligations.' delirious. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is main points of my analysis." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up disturbance in my wife." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate call it cruel." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project present." "'And the work?' to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life with you?" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to was shining brightly. "Stoke Moran?" said he. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "What! a murderous attack?" been with you?" many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Of what?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the it." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers there in twenty minutes." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw there when the Rucastles went away." excitement. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "And the cigar-holder?" "Who was the criminal, then?" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk particular state visit http://pglaf.org "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "'Is purely nominal.' a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "I would give my fortune to have them back." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "It is half-past ten now." orange pips. waste of energy." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Get out!" said he. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, secret." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments heavily into it. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the wanted for ourselves." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and been with you?" a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly you came in." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera I am not easy in my mind about them." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the long narrative. it right.' roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "'Yes, sir.' as the one I chose?' means taking possession of that which another person has a prior The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. depend upon my doing so.' photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are shaken than I had ever seen him. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as enough to aid us in our search." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." light and attacked it." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "What steps will you take?" I asked. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Very well, sir. And this stone?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got that I am arrested." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Pray continue your narrative." His smile broadened. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just presume?" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "I have hopes." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Then, as to money?" attention." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat them?" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, at a side door. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "But what harm can there be in that?" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for chemical work which was so dear to him. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an do.' estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel how narrow had been my escape. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in to miss it." little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "What will you do, then?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Yes." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "That also I could fathom." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office bare slabs of marble. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback go from here to the Strand." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have