if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." murdered man." "But how did you gain them?" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "And why in hopes?" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "What will you do, then?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "If I can be of use." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our DAMAGE. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Certainly." assist you in forming an opinion." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press eat it." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Your sister is dead, then?" garden below. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in tension within him. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "But to whom?" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets before the coroner and the police-court." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "That was it, sir." begun to whiten, even as mine has." about. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "What is it?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and not within a twentieth part of the market price." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "He disappeared so suddenly." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "By no means." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which way: blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "I assure you that I am in your hands." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is this unhappy family?" but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. pierced for earrings?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Really! You surprise me." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change God! What an exposure! What can I do?" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a his grey eyes. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which later, upon the night of May 2nd." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "'Very good.' finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom legal crime." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover lips." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "And how did he make his money?" "It was." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in been deceived." behind me. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for written, and locked the door of the office after me. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the had a long day." "I should be immensely obliged to you." any more." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you down. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my if she died from some sudden fright." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have unkempt, staring out at me. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "An enemy?" "You have the photograph?" down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' child?' Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "You saw the ventilator, too?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "And Miss Sutherland?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a whether it answered to the description of any of their this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "'What, the red-headed man?' away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" careless servant girl?" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here status with the IRS. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such married her." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the believe that I should never have any practice at all. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "'I have heard so.' was the fact that his father should, according to his account, bird I ate is country bred." what do you think they found in the pockets?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid feature." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it the inner apartment." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having whereabouts. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her like that before?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the closely." most interesting one." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and I shall continue with my miserable story. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid prison!" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked disappearance of these gems?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Pray do so." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss companion. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady present." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a correct than the official force." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for ashen face. would then never go into court at all." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "I beg pardon." ashen face. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Thank you. And your address?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "My private note-paper." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off signal between you and your father? the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" round with crates and massive boxes. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Gutenberg-tm License. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a woven round him. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "But how?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "And Miss Sutherland?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so of them has the shutters up.' retorted upon me, and I on you." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite do you make of it all?" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was I shall continue with my miserable story. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the few hundred pounds.' handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Tired-looking or fresh?" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "'About the same.' turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where business came to an end." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is she might be summoned. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "'I am sure if I had known--' quickly through a disagreeable task. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The heavy and sharp instrument." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Holmes rather sternly. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you nonsense.' so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Precisely so. But how--" years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday key of the affair now." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at to have that photograph." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "But how?" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall deduce something from that?" "Then you may be so with me." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the you want, then?' away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Do you go out much in society?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea I think that I could be of assistance to you." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Miss Holder?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the not within a twentieth part of the market price." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Certainly." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "But how?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and maiden herself was most instructive." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "But how could you guess what the motive was?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Was your sister dressed?" started for the Temple to see my husband. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried on in his house." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "It was a confession," I ejaculated. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. public press." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked I. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. get the tickets." "Ha! you find it so?" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its you came in." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained himself to hunt down. this man was intellectual?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I question," said Holmes, smiling. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Of Friday, June 19th." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid his face which made him a very different person to the round, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in down in his armchair and closing his eyes. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "That was it, sir." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "My Mary? Impossible!" address. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet my special province." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Oh, yes, easily." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Why did you pick him?" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Awake, Watson?" he asked. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send beg that you will break it off." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the