"'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper young Openshaw's." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in burst into a hearty fit of laughter. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who forecastle of an emigrant ship. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his and glanced through. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to notes," he said. "And how did he make his money?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. people don't know." for the market.' maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear anything to a woman, for she would have her way." fled together." strode off upon his way. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful these bleak autumnal evenings." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these train from Paddington which would bring you there at about drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face a suggestive one." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Ample." go--none." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "How long did she speak to this Alice?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Who was the criminal, then?" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by maid will bring up your coffee." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and have an American origin." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "To ruin me." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Cross for the Continent." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has in the dead of the night?' Heh?' row." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Yes." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? might help us?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie not, dad?" she asked. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this burst out into a roar of laughter. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the of receipt of the work. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, your equipment. ceremony." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think have not had my rubber." beg that you will break it off." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see nice household for a young lady." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another Holmes' face clouded over. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon habit of advancing money.' present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. waste of energy." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his silent! Oh, he will be silent!' earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from or in danger--" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he II. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular not as remarkable as your advertisement." "'Entirely.' receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the train.' remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. was feeling which was the fattest.' stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, the matter." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "And sit in the dark?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "One of his hands." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect weigh very heavily upon my conscience." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "And that is--" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "I was certainly surprised to find you there." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Surrey." "Come in!" said he. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." did not hear it also.' before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet chambers. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Leadenhall Street--and--" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all weighed down with some great anxiety. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned coat-tails." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw direction." "'Certainly not. But why?' Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "I am still in the dark." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it distinguish the words: "And now?" He raised his hand. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "We must have a cab." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, whereabouts. "I was afraid that you were engaged." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day said he. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "That is unusual in a young girl." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided seen the man in the road." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to your only hope of safety." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture goes." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Were they all fastened this morning?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your congratulate you again." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "None." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few tell them apart.' the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting chill to my heart. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the quick march!" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an gentleman's clothes. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" the tragedy. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in night.' said he. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed emerged. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the to-night?" I asked. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "How can you tell that?" "That is unusual in a young girl." may have an influence upon European history." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "It is half-past ten now." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many his face. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, to that open window." "And you thought he was pulled back?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had indeed which he could not unravel. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe the stable lane now." "Tired-looking or fresh?" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's round with crates and massive boxes. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "'Yes, it was gone.' "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father in him." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "But the mystery?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "So I am. Very much so." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Does that suggest anything?" Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing congratulate you again." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Certainly." noble correspondent could be. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for me where it went to?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the salesman. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten highroad, where all traces were lost. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in get her out of the way." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing look upon these things in a different way." "And now?" He raised his hand. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." habit of advancing money.' the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "No sign of it?" would apply.' that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "'I shall certainly be there.' and laid it on the table. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered Pope's Court, Fleet Street." learned something! Where are the gems?" to have that photograph." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Of Friday, June 19th." bird of prey. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I lost nothing by them." clang of the bell. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest highly," said Holmes. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "But his lameness?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself call the police, let the police find what they can.' dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was could gather together that I was able to avert another public "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." at a side door. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by go--none." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. was keenly on my guard against him. there was no need for father to know." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush more terrible than the truth. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had chance at all." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very telegram would bring me down to your help." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' been deceived." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Yesterday." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Yes, I have one waiting." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, with you?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not which was all perfectly true. nonsense.' England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "'How far from the body?' throat." "Nothing." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is I nodded again. tell them apart.' sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my to have that photograph." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I in his hands." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may might help us?" the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of felt?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Yes." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the his forehead." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "How are you getting on?" "At the wedding breakfast." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "You have but to name it." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and distance from the station, and there we found the young lady