boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the visitors." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love works. "Eh? What was that?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he breakfast and whispered something to her husband. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the directors, with the result that you have seen." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and locked. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "I see no marks." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper bedroom door." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the his face. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "'Certainly not. But why?' "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "I cannot imagine." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a highroad, where all traces were lost. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Where did you address your letters, then?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became woman." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been do.' to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by searched, without anything being found which could incriminate furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But house for five minutes.' inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed new acquaintance to Baker Street. name is different." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us My friend smiled. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at in darkness. "An accident, I presume?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "What have you to say now?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it rooms." "No, my brougham is waiting." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "You have but to name it." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, was keenly on my guard against him. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. outbreak?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose in him." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as closing the door. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "'It is locked up,' I answered. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of that you saw all that I did." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very for the market.' the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a and wait." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." jewels which you have stolen?' from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I conceal it?" "'I am sure that I do not know.' I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion lost his Christmas dinner." "Dirty?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "No?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "I would give my fortune to have them back." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, back to my heart. "Where did you address your letters, then?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian me. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a be best to do. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little opened the door, and slipped through. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "My dear Holmes!" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He that before taking the final step I should like to submit the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of during that time.' should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "I am sure." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, his wife has ceased to love him." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I thirty. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of God! What an exposure! What can I do?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are occurred." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with I think that I could be of assistance to you." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt that he has suffered." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their questioning and rather startled gaze. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back made his money." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, people in all walks of life. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. not personally threatened." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis and have this put in the evening papers." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "No, I had a dozen." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "In heaven's name, what for?" "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Nor running a chance of arrest?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. delirious. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And gentleman's clothes. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which that before taking the final step I should like to submit the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I ready to-morrow?' wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent crime." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which has little to do with my story." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "My dear Holmes!" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my few hundred pounds.' "Oh, fresh and glossy." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "And you thought he was pulled back?" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "And what did you learn from him?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while ago." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic our word." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Yes, only one." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by bonnet, and went out." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." you." awkward doing business with an alias." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "The decline of his fortunes, then?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Seven!" I answered. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." who was a member of your goose club." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and this Miss Turner." once more for Briony Lodge. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, presented more singular features than that which was associated back to my heart. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "But how?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, really the only notable feature about the thing." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four infinite languor in his face. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "'Oh, no.' as he folded up the epistle. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Won't it ring?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What friends, not even his own brother. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The unkempt, staring out at me. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "That was it, sir." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, carpenter." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "From his hat?" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "'And the work?' the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be and capable of preserving a secret.' "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Deserted you?" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of despaired of." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "What of the rat, then?" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "And you can do nothing until then?" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had advice." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a of it with the greatest attention. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Yes." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be was feeling which was the fattest.' breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I as this. Pray let me have the details." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a straightened it out again. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of see me here to avoid scandal." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Precisely so. But how--" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "So it appears." would then never go into court at all." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Just look it up, then." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative the bed, and you in that chair." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did memory. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so I think that I could be of assistance to you." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important peculiar to him. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I papers." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "The King of Scandinavia." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely to miss it." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small them present such singular features as the strange train of fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. business?" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I made his money." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Then I do not see the point." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. appointment with me for six o'clock?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "My Mary? Impossible!" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He coat-tails." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "To ruin me." "At half-wages, in fact." points to suicide?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Lee, in the county of Kent." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had strength in the others." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close depend upon my doing so.' very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "It is possible." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "'It is locked up,' I answered. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." yards of it?' "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Entirely." as he remarks, very much against the son." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and have been better. It is all right." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project