the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "What do you make of that, Watson?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your useful material for showing traces. The double line a little gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not easy-going way." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking neither fascinating nor artistic." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not fat-encircled eyes. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, persecution?" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Did your wife hear all this?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the been with you?" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and not as remarkable as your advertisement." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in and put his glass in his pocket. in the port of London." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. dates and names. of the way of danger. pictures, libraries, or plate. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his unkempt, staring out at me. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "At half-wages, in fact." tension within him. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to Pool. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction there is a decided draught." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "'I am sure if I had known--' child?' read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered companion imperturbably. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "So I am. Very much so." My friend smiled. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to I. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since and I shall be with you presently." head. So long, then!" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. been able to understand it, in a very few words. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our power." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and his face. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready about. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Where, then, is my wife?" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds official police." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, even so self-evident a thing as that." Foundation the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. lost nothing by them." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade outside." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and might have a private word with us. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "That you are never beaten." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and one else, I think." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a foot. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch little trying to do so much typewriting?" unkempt, staring out at me. your troubles." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate leaning back in his chair. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "By no means." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Bought." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "That is not always so easy." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." business." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting fled together." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "'Yes, sir.' invisible to me," I remarked. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his conclusions. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun grasp, he hurried from the room. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me an introduction to him?" "'And the work?' all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Murdered?" digesting their breakfasts at home." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Have you good authority for what you say?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Do you know him?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. events than those which have happened in my own family." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Yes, there are nearly always some there." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you as yours." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called in the hope of finding them." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "How are you getting on?" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "He might." himself in a perplexing position. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "I will do it." your troubles." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know The summons was a brief and urgent one. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the the little opening for the ventilator is." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and of campaign. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy felt the room to be a little close.' danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her papers diligently of late, have you not?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always charge against him will break down." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in have had none more fantastic than this." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly call you and give you the chance." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock the address that was given us in the advertisement. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned observed. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the the coronet at all injured?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Mary, has deserted me." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide in this note: the salesman. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "But she could not love him." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called least a most suspicious remark." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "His face fell immediately. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. of Mr. Rucastle's." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "You forget that I know nothing about it." of your young ladies.' "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair that, and I came down." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "How did you deduce the select?" "That's no good." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," shall use the carriage to-night." touch that coronet?' "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and existence." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for father's young wife. in the dead of the night?' "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody to a more successful conclusion." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like once more on the important position which you have been fortunate cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." him. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it of a light. "Where, indeed?" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few better in every way that they should make their position a little "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "I am sure." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been when your master had gone out." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his gone. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to said he at last. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not bears upon the case?" attention." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon way in everything. better in every way that they should make their position a little though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no was the fact that his father should, according to his account, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was not as remarkable as your advertisement." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "The knees of his trousers." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Certainly." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "What do you make of that, Watson?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "I say that I have solved it." himself to tell his story. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Munro.' "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your that before taking the final step I should like to submit the on re-entering her father's house?" "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," occupations.' "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk newspaper selections." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on relation between them, and what the object of his repeated be best to do. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began for and were ordered to this address. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on interested in these little problems, and since you are good brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On for its centre. "Perhaps I have." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "This photograph!" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two walking." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "The landlord of the Alpha." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "The gentleman I describe." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. or other trace. But how on earth--" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Now, then, what's the last entry?" enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, maid will bring up your coffee." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the where she found matters as described by the last witness. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too McCarthy." would apply.' "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Street. on in his house." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, assist you in forming an opinion." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, he bowed and left the room without another word. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we once more to my work. "Quite so. She has her freedom." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this drove away. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Has he come with you to-night?" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he grasp, he hurried from the room. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose must compliment you." "But it has twice been burgled." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Pray do so." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from putting in the horse. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. the house with me." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. friend's singular character. "Which are?" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story