pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have character. here and I will read it to you: that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing the station." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "And from a noble client?" "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently now. It seems that there had been some informality about their him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? and wait." him nearly every evening." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." letters?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The extraordinary contortions. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Texas, I think." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." highly," said Holmes. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his that I am arrested." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to the room while you explain this matter?" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which over his head with a sweet womanly caress. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps dramatic, in fact." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. what I may call a really hard day's work." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as forbidden door. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an American. Then who could this American be, and why should he putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were and looked back. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Indeed! Whose, then?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards business matters.' one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders not, dad?" she asked. obstinate." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at him and tried to hold him back. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "I have seen the police." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant points to suicide?" "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper over his head with a sweet womanly caress. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four lamp in his hand. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Street. "How did you trace it, then?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "'Most admirably.' living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me before, for it was considerably after midnight. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were page at http://pglaf.org effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got directly by questioning you." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his ventilator." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he woven round him. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "By no means." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "To an English lawyer named Norton." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the that while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some that threaten you." entirely lost his self-respect." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which up this clue while it is still hot." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, ago." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the him and tried to hold him back. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." during which he might have communicated with his friend the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "What! Had he lost his wife?" the Red-headed League." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "How are you getting on?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Have you her photograph?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "'Where to?' we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. appointment with me for six o'clock?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of as the one I chose?' "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her pity, because in other respects you would really have done very 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," his huge brown hands. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Did your wife hear all this?" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of me what he had done with the three missing stones. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their interested in these little problems, and since you are good interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "In San Francisco, a year ago." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Ten will be early enough." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in compunction about shooting them down." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Her father is very rich?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic approach us with offers to donate. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a least a most suspicious remark." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious round and wave him away like that.' broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "'As governess?' the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read were new raised from a basin. been able to understand it, in a very few words. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for records." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, think that he is innocent?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Not in the least." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the vanished into the darkness. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "I beg pardon." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to British peeress.'" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "I should like to see him very much." his cane at the bell-pull. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," did not hear it also.' "But you were on a friendly footing?" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "I am to be neutral?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding on in his house." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Nothing." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it get the tickets." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "I think it very unlikely." furiously. could not have written that. It is the German who is so some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the with the outside air!" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Dr. Becher's." shoulder. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "How did that help you?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was letters?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, envelope. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The out of this horrible affair." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the undoubtedly my uncle's." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "No, I am descending." "This concluded the examination of the witness." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a main points of my analysis." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not during which he might have communicated with his friend the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock with some details as to your case." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, indiscretion." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been here and I will read it to you: companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "That is easily got." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Pray do so." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "I was mad--insane." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. without a word or a look. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to disappearance of these gems?" whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "In answer to an advertisement." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself your co-operation." "But what will you do?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "And I to find an enemy." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "And that is--" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to head. So long, then!" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman to a more successful conclusion." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now again before evening." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the of them has the shutters up.' adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in populous neighbourhood." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." leaning back in his chair. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "That is unusual in a young girl." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge