"It is possible." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "And your mother is alive?" "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing plantation.' There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "He is dead," cried several voices. awkward doing business with an alias." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Where did he live, then?" character. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Very truly yours, would then never go into court at all." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the bed, and you in that chair." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice she used." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, young Openshaw's." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Do you know him?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "I am following you closely," I answered. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six pressing in one house as in another. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond I. mystery may be cleared along those lines." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." hand, madam?" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and learned something! Where are the gems?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Yes." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our when you have done it." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side shoulder. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "But you would not advise me to refuse?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Then I do not see the point." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, not personally threatened." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A woman." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "I beg pardon." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Well." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "I see many objections to any such theory." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Witness: It was. cheerful." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Nothing." crime." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of empty. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to tell him that I know him to be innocent." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his results." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of name is different." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "That is easily got." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "You horrify me!" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think strange features which were associated with the two crimes which afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" of this gang." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Breckinridge is his name." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Yes, only one." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him with frightened eyes at his accuser. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. presented more singular features than that which was associated "I cannot imagine." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "At the wedding breakfast." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it astonishment. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked him, that man would not have given me such complete information Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, did not hear it also.' a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we along the entire front of the house, with three long windows so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and you found me to-night--and running through the front room she to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country a good hundred miles off by now." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An persecution?" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What way: his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall the matter?" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "To an English lawyer named Norton." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "I am following you closely," I answered. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." made his money." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Who by?" "'Then let me do so?' would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Where is it, then?" action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "'I have already given you my word.' "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Serpentine Avenue. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm gives a meaning to it." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of locked. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a business at Coburg Square is serious." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Then how many are there?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. note?" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I front of the hall door has given its name to the place. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "And now?" I asked. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. green of the new foliage. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and leave you to your papers for a little." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "What is it?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I imbecility!" he cried. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Countess of Morcar's?" hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are presume?" "Do you go out much in society?" companion imperturbably. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be are, I think, all that we need." I leave." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the annoyance, but no jest. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had morning." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found this man was intellectual?" "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of his forehead." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see digesting their breakfasts at home." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to But Holmes shook his head gravely. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "And Miss Sutherland?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is that he has suffered." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, the dangers which encompass me." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the strode off upon his way. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "And how have you succeeded?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and of the vacancies.' should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United said he, "my real name is James Ryder." the house with me." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "None." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "'There is a drive, then?' "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs miles off. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and be.' and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat bird of prey. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Then you may be so with me." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Have you her photograph?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his indeed which he could not unravel. dates and names. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other words came to my lips. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so During two years I have had three consultations and one small not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Pool. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "She will not sell." to change my dress. for the market.' "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the not come at once?" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" suspect him." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" yards of it?' "'Entirely.' "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Thank you. Pray proceed." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we the station." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must had died away into the silence from which it rose. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said call the police, let the police find what they can.' "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was of campaign. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She returned to France?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his said he. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a at my own good fortune. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Pray do so." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar room. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be