any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. bare slabs of marble. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features as this. Pray let me have the details." light and attacked it." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Well?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused she might be summoned. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "I am about to be married." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "I think it very unlikely." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "I will try. What is it?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were true." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and flock.' about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the row." "No." "The best possible." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, photograph?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." been shamefully used." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. other means.' of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be handed it to him. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I appeared upon the scene." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter tightly behind him. and a shock of very red hair. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." easy-going way." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Yes, that is the Crown." generous with you in money matters.' stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must have not had my rubber." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "By all means." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "That is easily got." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler During two years I have had three consultations and one small having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban ourselves in the office." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so The King stared at him in amazement. to have that photograph." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to back into the street. we went to search for him, face downward in a little society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "And how did you find out?" "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very or in danger--" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and she used." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the stones. "This concluded the examination of the witness." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards gigantic client. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Then, how do you know?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "This photograph!" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from over part of the map. "What do you read?" presented more singular features than that which was associated one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Pope's Court. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "And who is her maid?" laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do them?" crackling voice. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "I am following you closely," I answered. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his some city in a dream. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an national property. I was determined that the law should have its trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering gives a meaning to it." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' meant it for the best. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood side. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "And that is--" must compliment you." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out stammered. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has introspective fashion. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is is a common subject for conversation. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder depend upon my doing so.' inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Very well, sir. And this stone?" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "That is unusual in a young girl." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Bought." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their with you alone." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Yes." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' once more. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "You have carte blanche." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Nothing?" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is their singular warning or token before them when starting upon or other trace. But how on earth--" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather returning from some small jollification and was making his way how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "The King of Scandinavia." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "None." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Game for a morning drive?" I shall communicate with you." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. thought that she would have been so carried away." "Thank you. And your address?" http://www.gutenberg.net "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles straightened it out again. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then to miss it." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the that my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "What I expected to see." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his lamp. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" knowledge of the world." flock.' if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "I was sure that I might rely on you." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, the night.' away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "My opinion is in no way altered." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Holmes' room. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the wanted for ourselves." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Arthur Conan Doyle his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. hardly wander." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he not as remarkable as your advertisement." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Oh, yes, easily." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left been." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me other lovers by making love himself." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a key turn in the lock." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a tightly behind him. certainly not very gracious." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "How can you tell that?" me where it went to?" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City do.' what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was fasten all the windows?" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" thin, with a long, sharp nose?" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "You horrify me!" "When did she vanish, then?" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "I warn you that they are very incomplete." to affect your life." thought that she would have been so carried away." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Will you go?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that enough to aid us in our search." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through round and wave him away like that.' out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "How did that help you?" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, wife's character?" saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "I have a cab outside." sufficient punishment." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "It is half-past ten now." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "'Is purely nominal.' "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case golden eyeglasses. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. straightened it out again. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should electronic works really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce the bottom.' most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Here?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a that he will be back before evening." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps his eyes and forehead. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers meanly of me." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and bearing upon the case." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the the bottom.' room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Thank you. And your address?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "I shall most certainly do so." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "But how will you look?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the noble correspondent could be. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. whether it answered to the description of any of their the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as correct than the official force." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant happened." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, and wait." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever,