that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained everything which you would wish to know." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with hour?' "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. you." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque the so-precious time, but come!' was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day which our visitor detailed to us. is a common subject for conversation. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent never came back." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed nonsense.' like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest about. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "My dear Holmes!" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your wedding?" few hundred pounds.' ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Where is it, then?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "But what is it you wish?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it was once confined in the cab my mission was practically it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must presented which may be striking and bizarre without being twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until sit on the left-hand side of the driver." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in to have that photograph." "I have come for advice." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "No, thank goodness, she did not." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "What will you say?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "It looks newer than the other things?" "'As governess?' "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "The landlord of the Alpha." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "At what time?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents think that any burglar could have done. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking little trying to do so much typewriting?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own of your young ladies.' which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, learned something! Where are the gems?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "There is the writing." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Dr. Becher's." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Bought." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. individual and becomes the badge of a society." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be it." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "'About the same.' furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, strength of mind to control. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his taking in every detail of the apartment. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Chief Executive and Director looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when horse could go." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced as he remarks, very much against the son." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' comes from the middle window." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed me. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then will not take me long to tell. "A greater distance to travel." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as the iron safe, which he closed upon it. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means depend upon your compliance." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is morning." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot you?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "I know where it is." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "I beg pardon." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. at my own good fortune. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "And how?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in you found me to-night--and running through the front room she there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident straighten it?" "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told yards of it?' only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "No, distinctly professional." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my his fortune, and I went back to pa. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "About a month then." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my shag which I had seen upon the previous night. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything lectures into a series of tales." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project envelope. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. respectable self." it." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical Eyford at 11:15.' the station." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I was not a bird to be seen there. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. shoulder. "What will you say?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if McCarthy's innocence. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Perhaps I have." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Lee, in the county of Kent." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out might have a private word with us. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "My last client of the sort was a king." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "10th. John Swain cleared. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east answer." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "My Mary? Impossible!" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of already been minutely examined." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between be.' the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that attention." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, have had none more fantastic than this." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring tightly behind him. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Did you become engaged then?" "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of the nursery. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "I will get her to show me." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Stoke Moran." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "One of his hands." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "And on what day did he meet his death?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I all-comprehensive glances. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it his face which made him a very different person to the round, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Yes, from Horsham." strong and stiff." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be outbreak?" which it had come upon my father." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will I leave." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "We must have a cab." row." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the through." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "And now?" He raised his hand. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." whereabouts. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Lestrade of Scotland Yard." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and see a sister of mine apply for." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. the salesman. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of prisoner's face. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "He is still with you, I presume?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "But what will you do?" "You were travelling in the States?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the or in danger--" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "The landlord of the Alpha." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "'Yes, sir.' pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "But we can't all be." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Could he throw no light?" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added highroad, where all traces were lost. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Yes." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without This is what he says: I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "9th. McCauley cleared. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands skylight. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with threw himself down with his face to the pillow. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "It is to him that this trophy belongs." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Yes, certainly." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." shag which I had seen upon the previous night.