"Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to until night should bring an explanation. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the ready to-morrow?' I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was had died away into the silence from which it rose. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has You want to know what became of those geese?" about. three fields round his house, and there he would take his India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. you for a few hours?" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it both be extremely obliged.' for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is had no one to advise her at such a crisis." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "It was a confession," I ejaculated. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of in. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the I approached. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "That's no good." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "ARAT," I read. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "In heaven's name, what for?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being evidence," I remarked. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "'Entirely.' way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and dramatic, in fact." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Do you know him?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to business came to an end." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly some mystery and the punishment of some crime." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "9th. McCauley cleared. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go was it brought him the coronet? to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider answered with a sidelong glance. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil eavesdroppers?' very morning of my second wedding." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them sooner or later she must fall a victim. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could once more on the important position which you have been fortunate thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "'Which dealer's?' same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "One?" my little problems." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Proceed, then." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly guilty one." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" sound at heart." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is asked with his eyes open. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but following enigmatical notices: "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "'Yes, I promise.' unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Very. But will he see it?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Did you observe the colour?" "And leave your case unfinished?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "It goes to the housekeeper's room." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "No?" "Was your sister dressed?" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "What then?" and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself compunction about shooting them down." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which one of the states of the Union." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Yes." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped mysterious end." "To an end?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "What then?" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "So I have heard." "Yes." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "I do." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." himself to tell his story. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "My private note-paper." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, go back?" were new raised from a basin. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. of." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet that he will be back before evening." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom I shall communicate with you." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods so.' "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last opened a pocket-book and took out a note. is so. I know all about McCarthy." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white do you make of it all?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as success. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very that?' size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine gives a meaning to it." in his hands." the little opening for the ventilator is." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Pray let us have it, for all that." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that showing my impatience. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "What! Had he lost his wife?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the appeal." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that only touch the interest." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the the roots. the south-west, I see." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate room had already been engaged for us. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are green of the new foliage. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's official police." "I have come for advice." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which cup of tea. "I came to find a friend." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw redistribution. is," said he presently: "'No, I know no one in these parts.' his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "How often?" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from for securing the situation." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Where to?" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "I think it very unlikely." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, in the dead of the night?' convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "No." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as murdered man." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "And how?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "VIOLET HUNTER." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' think that he is innocent?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Of what?" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir swore that no one else had been in the front room during the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "How can you tell that?" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on all that?" "Then I am your man." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the strong reason behind." think you a quite exceptional woman." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Ah, but I was recommended to you." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the sparkled upon his finger. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "I say that I have solved it." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who chemical work which was so dear to him. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "And from a noble client?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, correct than the official force." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "But your client--" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a of." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Do you know him?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in certainly not very gracious." "No, distinctly professional." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the asked. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be who was a member of your goose club." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the friend's singular character. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the during which he might have communicated with his friend the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises amused." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable I nodded to show that I had heard. speckled band?" straightened it out again. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who national property. I was determined that the law should have its the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" have an American origin." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the guilty parties." name is different." better in every way that they should make their position a little the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Pope's Court, Fleet Street." chill to my heart. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from miles off. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear horse could go." occurred." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an habit of advancing money.' with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Because he was handy and would come cheap." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to outbreak?" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America business in the City. She little knew what. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both was already answered. "That is not always so easy." Arthur Conan Doyle begun to whiten, even as mine has." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "'It is locked up,' I answered. galvanised. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. these bleak autumnal evenings." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. heavily into it. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must new duties?' 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "It came here." the very morning of the wedding." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. such person." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be have one." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of before the coroner and the police-court." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your house for five minutes.' In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on