"When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, and the church but not where the lady lived." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This woven round him. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose main points of my analysis." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of corner of the building. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Well, it is a possible supposition." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Won't it ring?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "But how?" "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." only touch the interest." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." weary and pale-looking. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three vault. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "How are you getting on?" with her." murdered man." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main delighted to hear it," he said. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman own family. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. next day. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "And how did he make his money?" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "What will you do, then?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," take the flies, but not before." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Yes, it would be as well." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "And I." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this crowd. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and three fields round his house, and there he would take his the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I young Openshaw's." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one have not had my rubber." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their stood on the top of it. wedding?" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found bore every mark of being an average commonplace British I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall trifles." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The criminal. We have already had experience of such." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Doctor, of the paper and the date." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of to-night?' behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Munro.' key of the affair now." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "I have a cab outside." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but out of this horrible affair." all-comprehensive glances. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of from the brougham. your troubles." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Certainly, madam." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "What can it mean?" I gasped. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Only as much as we can deduce." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, works. See paragraph 1.E below. the date of his supposed suicide." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the imbecility!" he cried. colour had been driven from his face. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a gigantic client. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and you in yours." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "An enemy?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked sound at heart." "What is it, then--a fire?" locked. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else I am not easy in my mind about them." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something despair." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous than was visible to me." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "You know me, then?" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his returning from some small jollification and was making his way that you wished to speak to me?' effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread time." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One matters immensely." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, it. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four of receipt of the work. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Your sister is dead, then?" my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "I will do it." was it brought him the coronet? "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "I have my revolver," said I. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the from the brougham. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Here?" darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been ways of our fellow-men." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have your own bird, so if you wish--" over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which people in all walks of life. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the upon an income of about 60 pounds." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its upon a handsome competence. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "It is possible." so.' "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry intimate personal affairs in this public manner." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several the stones. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's away to you." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. IS before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband business." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue were wasted." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "It must be recovered." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the to have been novel and of interest." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his cost them two and thirty pounds." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he promised to bring home. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "The gentleman I describe." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, asked. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know remarked. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not door?" has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there you in your example." "And Miss Sutherland?" should be so warm over such a trifle." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a young Openshaw's." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She not come at once?" papers diligently of late, have you not?" said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "That is unusual in a young girl." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like was a lad." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of know that the truth is known." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in present." charge against him will break down." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes crackling voice. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "'It is locked up,' I answered. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; never to learn it at all." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Yes." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a were unconscious?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush his face. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' shall not find me ungrateful." figure." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' something of him before." Holmes. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. maid will bring up your coffee." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "'And what are they worth?' I asked. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, opened the door, and slipped through. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than electronic works kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "You have the photograph?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small fact, we may call it conclusive." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "My Mary? Impossible!" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Yes." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Pope's Court, Fleet Street." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope It may be so in this case, also." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "I beg pardon." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the asked. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his despaired of." business in the City. She little knew what. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the undoubtedly my uncle's." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind