"'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which to where he stood hid behind the curtain. to miss it." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is the little opening for the ventilator is." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me your bag." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Who was the criminal, then?" could go. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she own family. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Not in the least." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to manager. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were that there was nothing in it, after all." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Mary, has deserted me." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees redistribution. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and roused himself from his reverie. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, invisible to me," I remarked. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in thirty. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat this poor creature." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a things are very often connected not with the larger but with the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "But you can know nothing of this?" "But she will refuse." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my him to go away.' whether it answered to the description of any of their the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "You don't mind breaking the law?" showing my impatience. you for a few hours?" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so name is different." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "I will not look." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with ourselves in the office." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Who by?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "I see no marks." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "I beg pardon." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind pound a week." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the answered with a sidelong glance. "Have you her photograph?" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Come in!" said he. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "That's no good." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Have you good authority for what you say?" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy I have it here in my museum." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic acquaintance?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Have you her photograph?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly with you alone." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him furiously. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was gone. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable always that they were such commands as a lady might with conduct the inquiry." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" a suggestive one." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," with you alone." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client examination of the premises, but without finding anything which We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into thirty. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had fear." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel The note was undated, and without either signature or address. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too colonel looking down at me. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Imitated." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "What of the rat, then?" pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea away to you." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Dirty?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that question," said Holmes, smiling. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "And sit in the dark?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "And now?" I asked. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect new duties?' outside. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "If I can be of use." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Where does the thing come from?' gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all death." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "I think that it is very probable." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Yes, he did." himself. "No bad?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "'There is a drive, then?' the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. I was concerned in it." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, floor. said he. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of little trying to do so much typewriting?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us his forehead." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Have you it here?" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "'And what salary do you ask?' said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are breakfast." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, official police." lips." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway asked. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "BALLARAT." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would the inquest, and which are worth considering." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. families. Now for the facts. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to my friend's incisive reasoning. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went intrusion of other matters." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his corner of the building. "Yes." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" forbidden door. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "No, I am descending." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' it right.' "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to miles off. "You think so, too?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. throat." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood are, and they are waiting for us." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, neither fascinating nor artistic." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily nights." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Countess of Morcar's?" pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Come in!" said Holmes. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater in him." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, became a certainty. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, chair. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this and glanced through. "What do you make of that, Watson?" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual suddenly upon us." business at Coburg Square is serious." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact goes." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' McCarthy." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, flock.' Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "In what way?" asked Holmes. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the forecastle of an emigrant ship. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and could go. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, I was concerned in it." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant other means.' key turn in the lock." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." out of this horrible affair." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Dirty?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "No. His orders were to stay in the house." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "It is very clear." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Did he not advertise?" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, envelope. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Where, indeed?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has corner of the building. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Stolen, then." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his presume?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "The King of Scandinavia." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather impression behind it as though a window had gently closed such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of my friend's incisive reasoning. "What have you to say now?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Stolen, then." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "That is it on the dressing-table." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had