"No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "And how did you find out?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' meant it for the best. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Do you go out much in society?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when the station." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the window, rose as we entered. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he desk. "ARAT," I read. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at manager. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "She walked into the breakfast-room." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have all?" "But how will you look?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly out of this horrible affair." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Did he not advertise?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle plantation.' "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "By train from Waterloo." "What are they?" during that time.' "'And what salary do you ask?' as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with it were putty." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' crime. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "We have tried and failed." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "I am sure." tension within him. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "You have carte blanche." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, miles off. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. to you." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads forbidden door. go back?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the said I. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." man. I know him from the photograph." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb your bag." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Certainly." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "The King of Scandinavia." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. for and were ordered to this address. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending meanly of me." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." nothing of it?" nights." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way had a long day." opportunities to fix the problem. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so felt the room to be a little close.' the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. IS what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "You are hungry," I remarked. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going best detective that ever lived. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their emerged. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their soul! here is her carriage at the door." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and see a sister of mine apply for." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' that the gas is not laid on in his house?" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the society." "How on earth--" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this danger is over." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "But what harm can there be in that?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "It is possible." views." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and as this. Pray let me have the details." "You have a clue?" gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." someone who had been in Australia." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." is four-and-twenty." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down records." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned not use it unless it is absolutely needed." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Pray continue your narrative." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "That is easily got." already been minutely examined." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own definite end. "My photograph." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, skylight. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Was he the only applicant?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a of a light. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society depend upon your compliance." and the colonel ushered me in. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just he died? course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter figure." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Whose house is it?" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most your bag." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the business matters.' sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot tell him that I know him to be innocent." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you and put his glass in his pocket. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Tired-looking or fresh?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would was a perfect sample of the class. "It looks newer than the other things?" the driver. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it coat-tails." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "This photograph!" for its centre. there in twenty minutes." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when excitement. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to went to the Alpha were town bred." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to and have this put in the evening papers." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "'I shall certainly be there.' during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain shaken than I had ever seen him. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Yes." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. confronted him. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my ago." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "I will not look." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "And your father? Did you tell him?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Absolutely none." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave and glanced through. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with companion. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his upon the shelf for the interim." you in yours." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to His smile broadened. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Absolutely none." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and do.' already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by letters?" fear." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "I cannot imagine." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into bears upon the case?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from as the one I chose?' parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" cup of tea. I shall continue with my miserable story. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "It was." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Where did he live, then?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as heavy and sharp instrument." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster been shamefully used." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Yes, but only for you and me." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Married! When?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," me what he had done with the three missing stones. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "No, finished." "Yes, sir." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Mrs. Toller serenely. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, passage and a tap at the door. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "The gentleman I describe." "Witness: I must still refuse. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Not in a good cause." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "You have it, sir, just as it happened." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I six. Come in!" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "You forget that I know nothing about it." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how secret." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the o'clock is it?" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. you in yours." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Countess of Morcar's?" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the woman." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Pray be precise as to details," said he. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, detained." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if not within a twentieth part of the market price." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself means taking possession of that which another person has a prior halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with and that he would see to anything that turned up. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and directly by questioning you." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in