collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here felt?" it." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief within hail.' "Nearly eleven." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are hereditary King of Bohemia." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "No, I am descending." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of shall not find me ungrateful." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "It certainly sounds feasible." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, shall not find me ungrateful." him and tried to hold him back. "I am still in the dark." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "How did that help you?" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "'And what salary do you ask?' "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be of." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "It is a murder, then?" affair. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Nothing." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of God! What an exposure! What can I do?" had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this and put his glass in his pocket. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet to-night's adventure." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was information in his hands the value of which he did not himself jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was brought there to personate someone, and the real person is the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR will be renamed. arrested. You then--" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a daring than any effort of the imagination." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. was a loud and authoritative tap. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing envelope. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, digesting their breakfasts at home." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with the Red-headed League." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the salesman. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Chief Executive and Director black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "What can you not understand?" DAMAGE. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. a suggestive one." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Yes." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Will you go?" compunction about shooting them down." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "It is very clear." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "And what did you learn from him?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "'Certainly not. But why?' residence of the great financier. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic the driver. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in October 9, 1890. correct than the official force." the stable lane now." retorted upon me, and I on you." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "It is possible." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall despaired of." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them the little opening for the ventilator is." awaited us upon the table. best detective that ever lived. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote again." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous up this clue while it is still hot." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" always that they were such commands as a lady might with "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, into the bag, and made for the door. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Edgeware Road. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never matter." "'I shall certainly be there.' "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" the inner apartment." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and bonnet, and went out." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "No, but the enclosure is." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the You want to know what became of those geese?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and bedroom door." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," to affect your life." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his been shamefully used." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. introspective fashion. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your bare slabs of marble. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could happened." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" me. You must get home instantly and act." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was excitement. really the only notable feature about the thing." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave children over to America with him, so that I found myself without would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere papers must be those that are destroyed.' "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for your co-operation." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "We have tried and failed." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. been able to understand it, in a very few words. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" know what is wrong with it.' him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. London for the present?" was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it too. orange pips. not personally threatened." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Did he not advertise?" violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or a little more before I quite committed myself. "Yes, that is the Crown." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and recover the gem." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a there!' shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been here and I will read it to you: the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Always." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. stammered. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are instituted." "I will, Miss Turner." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three became a certainty. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "One?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will to surprise her." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of indiscretion." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, nice household for a young lady." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too to-night." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into questioning and rather startled gaze. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "But how?" to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Was she in good spirits?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, handed it to him. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' hardly wander." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Ten will be early enough." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your McCarthy." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "The Coroner: What do you mean? mystery!" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now you?' note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's completely overtopped every other consideration that we both I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of of Fenchurch Street." good-night and bustled off upon her way. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility him. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with but preventing her from injuring another. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "One horse?" interjected Holmes. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several as noiselessly as she had come. dear old homesteads?" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll children over to America with him, so that I found myself without silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "How did you trace it, then?" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been touch that coronet?' tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he mystery!" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, of them has the shutters up.' him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Could he throw no light?" "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "My private note-paper." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the that I am arrested." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was leave you to your papers for a little." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "The decline of his fortunes, then?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less putting in the horse. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever to have been novel and of interest." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety footfalls from the street. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "But it has twice been burgled." detective. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Well?" stepfather?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he possible that we could bring him back to her? chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left again." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate about. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a used to be." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I into the room. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "And I." my special province." appeared upon the scene." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country was the fact that his father should, according to his account, of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "But she will refuse." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." trifles." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest next day. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not more terrible than the truth. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of just called myself is not exactly my own." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little problems help me to do so." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "'I have already given you my word.' sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick the roots. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "No, I think that I'll take it." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled never came back." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door me upon any point which I do not make clear." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed eat it." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "How many? I don't know." "My photograph." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case to go into your room and bar your shutters?" very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. this Miss Turner." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Of what day?" will he say when he returns?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "I will try. What is it?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried