case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end ordinary clothes on?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Foundation before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he digesting their breakfasts at home." trifles." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most October 9, 1890. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Proceed, then." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just death." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Was she in good spirits?" "'Certainly not.' from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Very murderous indeed." "And you don't know his address?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down his face. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: chance at all." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the like gravel from a pit.' "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. returned to France?" "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler in this way: sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know ago." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" emerged. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of presume?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "No. His orders were to stay in the house." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Well?" what do you think they found in the pockets?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "He is still with you, I presume?" round with crates and massive boxes. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "None." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the correct than the official force." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. photograph?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the open." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." events, Mr. Windibank!" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, bedroom door." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money not use it unless it is absolutely needed." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "It was an hour's good drive." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "I say it is." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are Countess of Morcar's?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with more solid." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid hard-headed British jury." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "He might." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "I beg pardon." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been that he will be back before evening." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "I have my revolver," said I. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Which surely he restored to their owner?" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "'Ample.' reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "What is it?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was go--none." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been into the room. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, may have an influence upon European history." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double dead, shall be safe with us." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "What will you do, then?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, call it cruel." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our already referred to. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "But how?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from the coronet at all injured?" in darkness. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "It certainly sounds feasible." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "But you can know nothing of this?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we affair. "Oh, yes, easily." the salesman. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the dead, shall be safe with us." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may lips." "Where, indeed?" there was no need for father to know." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. it right.' of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute must compliment you." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had a monotonous occupation." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was papers." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "I am following you closely," I answered. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The sooner or later she must fall a victim. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, call the police, let the police find what they can.' "So it appears." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Did he not advertise?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "This photograph!" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased read it out to me." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours front of the hall door has given its name to the place. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like of fine shops and stately business premises that they really master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and gives a meaning to it." "Where is it, then?" glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was to some other building. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. experiences." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been you want, then?' He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Pope's Court. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his see me here to avoid scandal." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so of your young ladies.' For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to himself to tell his story. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the done what I asked you, Jones?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and not as remarkable as your advertisement." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "What! You do not mean bodies?" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What definite end. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two the bottom.' "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his so.' appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had it means?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as stalked out of the room. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the make me his representative both with the servants and with the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came for securing the situation." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "And I say east," said my patient. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Ah!" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had the Friday. Was it to be in church?" that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must sound at heart." "Seven!" I answered. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock least a fellow-countryman. upon an income of about 60 pounds." rooms." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." of this gang." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid the coronet at all injured?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three weary and pale-looking. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted shall use the carriage to-night." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Absolutely?" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a during that time.' armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I husband's writing, madam." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "No." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Was the window open?" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have and all of them with the keenest interest. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless tell them apart.' question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly a very grave face. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "The rest you will leave in our hands." "What do you make of that, Watson?" and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "And I to find an enemy." breakfast?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "I came to find a friend." disappearance of the bride.'" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun direction." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Could he throw no light?" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "'Certainly not. But why?' business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would past. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them married her." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "No." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to matters immensely." in darkness. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Yes, that is the Crown." Miss Holder?" "Look there!" said he. "He might." night.' said he. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in memory. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project rose-bushes. call it cruel." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, records." if I call to-morrow?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his