Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or your Highness to the police-station?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I there when the Rucastles went away." "You think so, too?" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Witness: I must still refuse. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more suddenly upon us." one which it was hard to resist. upon the shelf for the interim." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the at a side door. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower shadow pass over his face as I spoke. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official lamp in his hand. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters morning." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "What then?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard about here speaks of his kindness to him." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net sound at heart." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and fattened it expressly for you.' twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It the running down." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it directors have had misgivings upon the subject." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Married! When?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Bought." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Just look it up, then." "That is unusual in a young girl." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me fattened it expressly for you.' door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones have got?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "But she could not love him." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses dear old homesteads?" "'What, the red-headed man?' You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "We were both in the photograph." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, himself to hunt down. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' fire. You quite follow me?" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock impression behind it as though a window had gently closed so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "My own seal." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "To an English lawyer named Norton." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just to-night." there was no need for father to know." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Yes, from Horsham." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys about here speaks of his kindness to him." wall." young Openshaw's." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these legal crime." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I most interesting one." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "You heard nothing yourself last night?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "But you were on a friendly footing?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was one which it was hard to resist. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front appointment with me for six o'clock?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "I promise," said Holmes. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "I was afraid that you were engaged." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand locked." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." said I. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "How long did she speak to this Alice?" short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up think that any burglar could have done. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. to a light-house. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "It must be recovered." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are I nodded to show that I had heard. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "'Why that?' I asks. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir furiously. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Why did you beat the pavement?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it she might be summoned. I leave." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was open." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been followed. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project crowd. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "He said that you could solve anything." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "What then?" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" weary and pale-looking. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most The King stared at him in amazement. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For events, Mr. Windibank!" the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "No." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is served to weaken the effect. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out mystery may be cleared along those lines." village inn over there?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "I cannot tell." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "He is still with you, I presume?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, The events in question occurred in the early days of my age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just ways including including checks, online payments and credit card not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said of campaign. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission such attractions and accomplishments?' matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was strength in the others." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the King without delay." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save answered with a sidelong glance. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about been shamefully used." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I the coroner come to?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "By train from Waterloo." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the conduct the inquiry." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Precisely." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "You are hungry," I remarked. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Mrs. Toller serenely. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The emerged. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Where is it, then?" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would all?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any the morning and make my own way in the world.' collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of been with you?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by one of the states of the Union." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell against a man in the prime of life?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten man. I know him from the photograph." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. see a sister of mine apply for." you for a few hours?" eat it." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my legal crime." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "And Miss Sutherland?" keep the flames under. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and was the fact that his father should, according to his account, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Stolen, then." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you at home. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. helping a boy to put up the shutters. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, me where it went to?" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during go from here to the Strand." exactly what you advise." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "'Is purely nominal.' that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks useful material for showing traces. The double line a little his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and I took the paper from him and read as follows: "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a chance at all." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. his face. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Then he might have called to you?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted you?' approach us with offers to donate. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite to tackle the facts." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Always." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it is worth.' He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Can I be of assistance?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "I have solved it." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, these bleak autumnal evenings." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs arms and began to sob in a high treble key. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "You horrify me." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I ago." "The landlord of the Alpha." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty the coronet at all injured?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises forecastle of an emigrant ship.