He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Arthur Conan Doyle "'Entirely.' lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a compunction about shooting them down." ourselves in the office." I nodded again. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly him, that man would not have given me such complete information not interfere, come what may. You understand?" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I It may be so in this case, also." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the mysterious end." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over said he. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "My dear Holmes!" "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project in darkness. "Yes." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' asked. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never matter." distinguish the words: to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his *** START: FULL LICENSE *** them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "'And what salary do you ask?' that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the that you saw all that I did." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. stalked out of the room. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. bears upon the case?" My friend smiled. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "'Quite sure, dad.' "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope entirely devoid of interest." "That sounds a little paradoxical." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and developed." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "We have tried and failed." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "And why?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I closely." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows hurried away. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming shoulder; "he's all right." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the matters immensely." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "It goes to the housekeeper's room." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to 'I should be able to look after that for you.' all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a fattened it expressly for you.' facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps III. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his putting in the horse. morning." lumber-room." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "He disappeared so suddenly." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Yes." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "And you thought he was pulled back?" old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a already been minutely examined." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is hopeless attempt at recovering them." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "'Tell me all about it,' said I. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the better in every way that they should make their position a little may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady easy-going way." I think that I could be of assistance to you." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." other, as fresh and trim as possible. chemical work which was so dear to him. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining he bowed and left the room without another word. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, some place of shelter and let the county police know what has stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is before the coroner and the police-court." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "And help." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were foot. "What! Had he lost his wife?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said answered with a sidelong glance. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but will not take me long to tell. trying to your nerves." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the your Highness to the police-station?" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. placed his cuttings. people in all walks of life. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my affair. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "The King of Scandinavia." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was reach." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached at once, for I have only half an hour." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Which are?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter invisible to me," I remarked. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand wife's character?" many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting to talk it over. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about back into the street. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary them, and came down just as you departed. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with straighten it?" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs down in his armchair and closing his eyes. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "'Entirely.' it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "You did not overhear what they said?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His appeal." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with make me his representative both with the servants and with the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and beyond words. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, room had already been engaged for us. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "What! Had he lost his wife?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend God! What an exposure! What can I do?" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "In San Francisco, a year ago." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "And Miss Sutherland?" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I late." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "I was mad--insane." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on business in the City. She little knew what. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. when you have done it." about. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a of it with the greatest attention. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "You have compromised yourself seriously." "How about poison?" fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. It may be so in this case, also." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. British peeress.'" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how help us in this matter." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. night.' said he. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be husband's writing, madam." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "But to whom?" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "A thing like a cleaver," said he. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from lamp in his hand. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of seven miles from Eyford Station.' into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Was he the only applicant?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "The knees of his trousers." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Upon what point?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all had picked up in the wood. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland wanted for ourselves." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "And on what day did he meet his death?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Where did he live, then?" up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. you do it in twenty minutes!' and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some house for five minutes.' entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, made him keep the appointment." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting my little problems." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but Again Holmes raved in the air. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the at my own good fortune. vanished into the darkness. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." and glanced through. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a drove away. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! daring than any effort of the imagination." papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." how narrow had been my escape. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive 1.F. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to lamp. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have awaited us upon the table. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "It is very kind of you." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," could not have written that. It is the German who is so desk. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Then I shall certainly come." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Here?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little breakfast?" there." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." this unhappy family?" my former friend and companion. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were made him keep the appointment." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading on re-entering her father's house?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Seven!" I answered. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "'And the work?' I took the paper from him and read as follows: Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away outsides of the windows. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." a room. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his footfalls from the street. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "It is possible." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Where, then, is my wife?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining