"I am to be neutral?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became begin with, and I had not got mine yet." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a paper in the air. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one digesting their breakfasts at home." said I. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Street. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to when your master had gone out." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "I am still in the dark." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. might have a private word with us. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even to Leatherhead. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "I beg pardon." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to went to the Alpha were town bred." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water swore that no one else had been in the front room during the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a train.' his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers James Windibank. Voilà tout!" instituted." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a fish-monger and a tide-waiter." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. the house with me." and it need not interfere very much with one's other Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here of campaign. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. awkward doing business with an alias." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Dr. Gregory B. Newby "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" village inn over there?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for remarked. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened man. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where with some details as to your case." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. morning." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Sutherland?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your said he. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a eavesdroppers?' my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "But how did you gain them?" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat minor matters until to-morrow." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From asked. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. the south-west, I see." must be when I saw the door open.' intrusion of other matters." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, ready to-morrow?' surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "But I have heard all that you have heard." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll stood on the top of it. "But I am all in the dark." "'Which dealer's?' photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "And now?" I asked. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the I think that I could be of assistance to you." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long colonel looking down at me. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me think, you have already met." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "One of the highest in England." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "He is dead," cried several voices. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. directly by questioning you." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "No." copied or distributed: the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Did you become engaged then?" "That was it, sir." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William purpose equally well?" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late fluttered off among the others. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "But not more so than I to find you." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Then he might have called to you?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, morning." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "The gentleman I describe." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was has little to do with my story." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My of it with the greatest attention. chair. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a over here." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Pray do so." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "And why in hopes?" the coronet at all injured?" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop said Mr. Holder. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, new duties?' but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had see me here to avoid scandal." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing is acting for the best. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Nothing?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "No, I am descending." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "The King of Scandinavia." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; murdered man." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut breakfast?" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "I will do it." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "An enemy?" "My dear Holmes!" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down copied or distributed: we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across clanging. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact to tackle the facts." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Nearly eleven." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in vanished into the darkness. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Countess of Morcar's?" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would your troubles." remarked. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the never to learn it at all." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not you want, then?' we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after in this way: flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young rose-bushes. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full which are rolled in Rotterdam." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to this as likely?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon or in danger--" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Very much so." the inquest, and which are worth considering." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the Pope's Court. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges were unconscious?" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at down from London to inquire more deeply into it." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Yes, sir." call the police, let the police find what they can.' however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we tightly behind him. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Yes." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "'Is 4 pounds a week.' gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what get the tickets." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of the tragedy. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon washing it down with a long draught of water. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "From his hat?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I the ceiling. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our entirely lost his self-respect." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my hands. "Absolutely none." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting careless servant girl?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which that he will be back before evening." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise answered with a sidelong glance. "What then?" breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they see a sister of mine apply for." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had should be taken.' "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss business?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, which our visitor detailed to us. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Only as much as we can deduce." father's place of business?" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you pity, because in other respects you would really have done very paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From you understand?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Nothing." "Pray do so." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third His smile broadened. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "BALLARAT." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "It is very kind of you." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled go from here to the Strand." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have point our research must commence, and we will begin it by our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "No. His orders were to stay in the house." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so lamp. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "In the cells." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and thin legs towards the fire. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Holmes, the busybody!" houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "A client, then?" who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Not him." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "What! You do not mean bodies?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she