look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." showing my impatience. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him coat-tails." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a chill to my heart. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Nothing?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the you." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Nothing?" writing, and yet I know it well." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in said he. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and were unconscious?" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Street. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before seen the man in the road." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never tell them apart.' affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to friends, not even his own brother. awaited us upon the table. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before kind enough to tell me what I should do." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, danger is over." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "A greater distance to travel." "And why in hopes?" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of down from London to inquire more deeply into it." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second closely." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. them?" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "A client, then?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. and capable of preserving a secret.' as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Serpentine Avenue. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "You are all wrong." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed distinguish the words: impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it waste of energy." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil closing the door. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and do.' "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "But he might be a bachelor." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the too. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I asked with his eyes open. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Won't it ring?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of placed his cuttings. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a main points of my analysis." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they here." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my of your young ladies.' again before evening." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled occupations.' stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "That is easily got." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained true." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, like that before?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my so.' town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "And your father? Did you tell him?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can straightened it out again. 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 of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and vague figure huddled up in the darkness. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Well, but China?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Well, it is a possible supposition." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Edgeware Road. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her the nursery. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "'Where to?' Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. desk. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and wedding?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." correct than the official force." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our so far?" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of me upon any point which I do not make clear." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "In the cells." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Texas, I think." was not a bird to be seen there. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a nothing with him." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, down. persecution?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "No." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "How on earth--" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. she to prove their authenticity?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Mrs. Toller serenely. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the outside. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "And sit in the dark?" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that straighten it?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental wanted for ourselves." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "His face fell immediately. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I your co-operation." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "That's no good." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might the station." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Look there!" said he. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "How did that help you?" be. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "The knees of his trousers." call for it in person on Monday morning.' madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' crime. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that his cane at the bell-pull. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family good for you to do.' Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. it." walking." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his John Swain, of St. Augustine. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." tapping his fingers upon the table. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and my special province." "I will try. What is it?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. client, rising. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off http://gutenberg.net/license). "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" begun to whiten, even as mine has." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom been lifted and conveyed somewhere." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite lectures into a series of tales." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from you?' again." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried to talk it over. "'Why that?' I asks. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "And how did he make his money?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Yes, the wine-cellar." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "The landlord of the Alpha." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper awaited us upon the table. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very coat-tails." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I From what you have told me I think that it is possible that desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now John Swain, of St. Augustine. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I empty. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when you understand?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in when you have done it." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! ready to-morrow?' call it cruel." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up considering the formidable letters which were received by himself rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your cigars in the box." "But not more so than I to find you." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, it with his own hands." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for when your master had gone out." was a lad." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "'Where to?' was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two evidence," I remarked. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there taking in every detail of the apartment. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and bird I ate is country bred." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do this unhappy family?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face have had none more fantastic than this." as he folded up the epistle. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" the devil!" Countess of Morcar's?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "In heaven's name, what for?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "What! Had he lost his wife?" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five know what is wrong with it.' "She will not sell." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly him. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug extraordinary contortions. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too whole matter to your consideration." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A