Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. the matter?" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a voice, changing her seat as requested. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was experiences." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and stalked out of the room. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been weary and pale-looking. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King behind me. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Nearly eleven." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be and your relations to her." was a perfect sample of the class. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner tell them apart.' "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing kindly on the shoulder. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked once more to my work. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Have you it here?" "Yes, certainly." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." recover the gem." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door minor matters until to-morrow." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project appeal." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his this remarkable episode. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all pierced for earrings?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been questioning and rather startled gaze. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "I should be immensely obliged to you." "None." "In what way?" asked Holmes. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you I think that I could be of assistance to you." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "And the murderer?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy have had none more fantastic than this." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do into the room. of receipt of the work. "I will do it." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of some city in a dream. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." round with crates and massive boxes. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes open." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "I have a cab outside." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction and I shall be with you presently." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "How about poison?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "We have tried and failed." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Well, but China?" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, ordinary clothes on?" "And I." door?" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from these bleak autumnal evenings." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "But it has twice been burgled." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what if she died from some sudden fright." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond voice, changing her seat as requested. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, touch that coronet?' appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "'Where could I find him?' happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "I have my revolver," said I. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Of what day?" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a went to the Alpha were town bred." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his London for the present?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Yes." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "You are hungry," I remarked. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. and effective." before the coroner and the police-court." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my unprofitable." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Is he quiet?" "Frequently." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Not in a good cause." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I make me his representative both with the servants and with the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will you." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, But Holmes shook his head gravely. the coronet in his hand?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a me." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is tapping his fingers upon the table. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the heavy and sharp instrument." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to think that any burglar could have done. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said impression behind it as though a window had gently closed of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "I shall be delighted." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle for securing the situation." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow dates and names. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the exactly what you advise." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the someone who had been in Australia." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in whereabouts. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "What will you do, then?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Then, how do you know?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but characteristics, but those are the more obvious." of." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "'Is 4 pounds a week.' how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." outside." "That is it on the dressing-table." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "And what did you see?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "I would pay ten." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "I will not look." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and direction." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "10th. John Swain cleared. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in His name is Francis Prosper." "And it is--" "Game for a morning drive?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At one of them." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it weigh very heavily upon my conscience." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "You horrify me!" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Literary Archive Foundation foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of which we had just quitted. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of golden eyeglasses. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, it." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly awaited us upon the table. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "And sit in the dark?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then examine." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Pray continue your narrative." "He is still with you, I presume?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am it. been shamefully used." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, you?" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a arrested. You then--" Literary Archive Foundation springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that I nodded to show that I had heard. kindly on the shoulder. arrested. You then--" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco maiden herself was most instructive." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Your French gold?" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do weary and pale-looking. "What, then?" hands. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport note?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "No more words. Get out!" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. tail." For additional contact information: of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always strong reason behind." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "To ruin me." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. But Holmes shook his head gravely. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "It is very clear." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had whether it answered to the description of any of their recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously rat could hardly pass through." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and charge against him will break down." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man look upon these things in a different way." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. writer." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had http://www.gutenberg.net "What shall I do?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "My stepfather's business papers." yet." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Nothing?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she call for protection in the marriage market, for the present coat-tails." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened My friend smiled. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "And who is her maid?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge call it cruel." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far the one as in the other." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Get out!" said he. "Then I shall certainly come." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than in the dead of the night?' continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor your own bird, so if you wish--" lost nothing by them." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her