I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." call it cruel." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "It is solved." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Where did he live, then?" rooms." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Here?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide and the whole place is in a blaze." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here floor. never came back." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, less than 26s. 4d. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and 1.F. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, photograph?" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps passage and a tap at the door. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the I think that I could be of assistance to you." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." future lives." will he say when he returns?" at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "I will do it." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the individual and becomes the badge of a society." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my again before evening." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to astonishment. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" and looked back. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the made his money." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I fattened it expressly for you.' newspaper selections." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "To an end?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. Henry Baker is a member." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that orange pips. "'Entirely.' "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round evidence," I remarked. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited papers diligently of late, have you not?" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it than was visible to me." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. asked. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly sparkled upon his finger. Holmes' thin, eager face. "There are none." fuss that is made over them." is so. I know all about McCarthy." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Absolutely?" "What can you not understand?" to surprise her." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Again Holmes raved in the air. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Quite so." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and the so-precious time, but come!' why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to place no limit on the sum I may draw." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Sutherland?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, bedroom door." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "My stepfather's business papers." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly I nodded again. suddenly upon us." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the there has been an enclosure here!" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "And from a noble client?" "But what harm can there be in that?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. instincts rose up against that laugh. towards the blaze. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up at once, for I have only half an hour." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it fled together." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." lectures into a series of tales." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain redistribution. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "That sounds a little paradoxical." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do triumphant cloud from his cigarette. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you hardly wander." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Texas, I think." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "What do you make of that, Watson?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with occupations.' where she found matters as described by the last witness. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "I cannot think." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed criminal. We have already had experience of such." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly use an arc-and-compass breastpin." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, deduce something from that?" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from started for the Temple to see my husband. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, you for a few hours?" bell. Holmes whistled. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Stolen, then." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray me, and I could not think that his explanation of the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods past. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Has he come with you to-night?" father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, asked. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could the coronet in his hands?" went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Again Holmes raved in the air. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately do.' impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through in one or two places in England?' "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my answered with a sidelong glance. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Yes?" hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Then, how do you know?" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money at my own good fortune. been able to understand it, in a very few words. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a locked. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all cigars in their mouths. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo astonishment. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "And what did you learn from him?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. bearing upon the case." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their to tackle the facts." Gutenberg-tm License. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not locked." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "At the wedding breakfast." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "I was sure that I might rely on you." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." trifles." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "And how?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a charge against him will break down." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, bears upon the case?" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey prison!" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without time." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter at home. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "I think that it is very probable." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a himself. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I shall not find me ungrateful." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Your French gold?" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a there." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary together. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his companion. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down himself to hunt down. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they clang of the bell. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "I have come for advice." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "What! You do not mean bodies?" should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the child." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these them?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "But how?" league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter It was close upon four before the door opened, and a all?" "'You cannot say what it was?' explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "It came here." garden below. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the his wife has ceased to love him." depend upon your compliance." "Ten will be early enough." and a shock of very red hair. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "And how in the world did you find them?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Just look it up, then." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net the ceiling. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Yes." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no keep the flames under. instituted." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you one which it was hard to resist. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "'What are you doing there?' he asked. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" III. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' good for you to do.' nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Then he might have called to you?" "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "My opinion is in no way altered." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting were wasted." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Her father is very rich?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if politicians who had been sent down from the North. "'Certainly not. But why?'