nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling you." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down your co-operation." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Did you become engaged then?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then notes," he said. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out I. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the if only as a check to my own memory." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed suddenly upon us." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "And you can do nothing until then?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "A confidential servant?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was walking." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important wedding?" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to again." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, at once, for I have only half an hour." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I trifles." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." his cane at the bell-pull. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in the ceiling. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could instincts rose up against that laugh. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Here?" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting had picked up in the wood. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "I have seen the police." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "And why in hopes?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "'There is a drive, then?' most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "And how in the world did you find them?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a never to learn it at all." "'Never,' said I. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer that How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to outside. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his you came in." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Then the page we have seen--" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love to-morrow." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "'Very good.' might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler past. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned heavily into it. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "I cannot as yet see any connection." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped that he has suffered." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of I shall communicate with you." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six business." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive dear old homesteads?" change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its companion. of the vacancies.' several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who out of this horrible affair." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement said Mr. Holder. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and I held the little printed slip to the light. do you make of it all?" "Texas, I think." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" a good hundred miles off by now." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which yourselves in at night?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" to-night?" I asked. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." was lame." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he writing, and yet I know it well." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes you, my dear young lady?' opened the door, and slipped through. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't province." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." name is different." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and his forehead." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my again." the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "What?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. if only as a check to my own memory." "Precisely." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my chemical work which was so dear to him. Pool. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "That is easily got." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to at a side door. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Yes." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended to have that photograph." she might be summoned. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if front of me. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. and the whole place is in a blaze." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There anything to a woman, for she would have her way." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "My photograph." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." questioning and rather startled gaze. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside disturbance in my wife." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "And how in the world did you find them?" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Yes?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the that he will be back before evening." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Pray do so." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. recover the gem." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," 1.F. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall my friend's incisive reasoning. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a them present such singular features as the strange train of States. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." possible that we could bring him back to her? American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "It must be recovered." "Who was the criminal, then?" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." emerged. it." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I nice household for a young lady." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was to you." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the King without delay." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met three of the beryls in it, was missing. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my was once confined in the cab my mission was practically I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you has little to do with my story." "I cannot imagine." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and noting anything else of interest. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "I fear not." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." of the one which your family is now devouring." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. your most interesting statement." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely in. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly to talk it over. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Seven!" I answered. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Was the window open?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he secret." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the one else, I think." the side-table." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in only touch the interest." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" one of the states of the Union." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "'Not at all. I only doubt--' better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "I am sure." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "No." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the that I can to serve you." appeal." made him keep the appointment." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "So I am. Very much so." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "'Oh, no.' "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Why, what do you mean?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "I guessed as much." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Oh, the cause is excellent!" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Won't it ring?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be which are rolled in Rotterdam." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he such attractions and accomplishments?' very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just in this way: "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face rooms." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate over here." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to unprecedented a position." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if companion. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "I know where it is." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had From what you have told me I think that it is possible that the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and as he remarks, very much against the son." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make out." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "And leave your case unfinished?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "'Certainly not.' I nodded to show that I had heard. dead, shall be safe with us." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Of what?" "How often?" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy standing smiling on the door-step. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "You horrify me." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." What do you deduce from it?" matter." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we fattened it expressly for you.' something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, fact, we may call it conclusive." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather that he has suffered." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Then I shall certainly come." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "I am sure." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet which we had just quitted. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about