"It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture thought that she would have been so carried away." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man some city in a dream. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed geese which you supplied to the Alpha." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the that cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I heavily into it. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Then you may entirely rely on me." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, guilty parties." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Never." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the late." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was back alive. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the married her." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are time." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge wanted for ourselves." "Was she in good spirits?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "You have it, sir, just as it happened." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to third from London." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Precisely so. But how--" habit of advancing money.' hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." ceremony." maid will bring up your coffee." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my your co-operation." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "ARAT," I read. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained reach." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "That you are never beaten." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall allusion to a rat. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had very old mansion. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" morning." but preventing her from injuring another. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose your own bird, so if you wish--" "An accident, I presume?" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, lectures into a series of tales." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Was the window open?" "Won't it ring?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "You have a clue?" new duties?' said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "The King of Scandinavia." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Leave Paddington by the 11:15." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, there is a decided draught." "'Where to?' state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "The gentleman I describe." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "'Most admirably.' their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Pray do so." problems help me to do so." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "She showed me, as I told you she would." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "That's no good." drawing your inferences." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "I don't believe it." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "I will not look." "Did he not advertise?" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Yes." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of mysterious business." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." said I. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a I have it here in my museum." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "I warn you that they are very incomplete." learned something! Where are the gems?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "You have carte blanche." "At what time?" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On o'clock is it?" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which maiden herself was most instructive." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let weapon." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from like gravel from a pit.' gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do narrative." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." see me here to avoid scandal." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "To ruin me." crackling voice. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while call the police, let the police find what they can.' painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler sound at heart." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, shall use the carriage to-night." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which already been minutely examined." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Holmes." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the giving me time to thank him. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to congenial hunt. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I guessed as much." "Yes." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in strong and stiff." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him himself to tell his story. "She will not sell." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted the coronet in his hand?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Count Von Kramm." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "What can you not understand?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can late!' "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, what is your own theory as to what took place?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very were unconscious?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in During two years I have had three consultations and one small doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Munro.' your sleep?' This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "I assure you that I am in your hands." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "At what time?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his breakfast." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his rose-bushes. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "A confidential servant?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "And sit in the dark?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Certainly." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a works. See paragraph 1.E below. any." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know them present such singular features as the strange train of learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no For additional contact information: "I came to find a friend." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. not, dad?" she asked. nonsense.' sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power strength." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Where to?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Yes?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to she might be summoned. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man in the port of London." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even copied or distributed: learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called strong and stiff." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner think, you have already met." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her will he say when he returns?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "And I to find an enemy." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for said he. him." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be his forehead." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, or in danger--" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. to miss it." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "'Is 4 pounds a week.' the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble stammered. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To south, for the country is more deserted there." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I to have been novel and of interest." "But not more so than I to find you." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Then I shall certainly come." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am