"'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united depend upon my doing so.' Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Your sister is dead, then?" "Bought." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "I am in hopes that she does." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "But you were on a friendly footing?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand of receipt of the work. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched quite distinctive." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently happened." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I whole matter to your consideration." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "I cannot tell." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Literary Archive Foundation of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from this poor creature." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in note?" I nodded again. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the purpose equally well?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as cheerful." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "I don't say that. Perhaps." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Very truly yours, "He might." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind had a long day." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." I shall communicate with you." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Oh, the cause is excellent!" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported better in every way that they should make their position a little you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her have accepted such a situation. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Indeed! Whose, then?" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied never came back." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the that you saw all that I did." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without tell me that you intended to go into harness." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "By no means." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Chief Executive and Director mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many me what he had done with the three missing stones. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might sake, don't!" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who sit on the left-hand side of the driver." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "'Is 4 pounds a week.' national property. I was determined that the law should have its that you can jump it.' this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "No, finished." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. to affect your life." were new raised from a basin. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, newspaper selections." this remarkable episode. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when fat-encircled eyes. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name giving me time to thank him. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "But his left-handedness." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my bears upon the case?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern do.' "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Won't it ring?" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I your equipment. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it the driver. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered gone before you can get him to hospital." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "What do you make of that, Watson?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is standing smiling on the door-step. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in business?" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "You don't mind breaking the law?" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, then?" the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident little trying to do so much typewriting?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less third from London." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "To ruin me." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon key of the affair now." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Why, what do you mean?" statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "I am all attention, madam." walking." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the garden below. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." this man was intellectual?" maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, Edgeware Road. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "How did you trace it, then?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got of receipt of the work. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "No more words. Get out!" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "None." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left following enigmatical notices: like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress later, upon the night of May 2nd." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "The doctor?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate eat it." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one possible that we could bring him back to her? have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the was keenly on my guard against him. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted breakfast and whispered something to her husband. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "I came to find a friend." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there these bleak autumnal evenings." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Always." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of his face. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive following enigmatical notices: visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. one's self under obligations.' With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Project Gutenberg-tm works. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can you." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as upon an income of about 60 pounds." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the words came to my lips. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Pray do so." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. least a most suspicious remark." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. prepare for the new role I have to play." what is your own theory as to what took place?" the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "No, I had a dozen." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the that I may have something better before very many minutes are but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day unprofitable." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the McCarthy." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear eat it." shoulder. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our fatally injured? "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "No. His orders were to stay in the house." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "No." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient you?' all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which But Holmes shook his head gravely. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "I am still in the dark." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Very. But will he see it?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the some terrible trap for her." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a tapping his fingers upon the table. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who putting in the horse. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when you understand?" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "She showed me, as I told you she would." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life arrangements." "I know where it is." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "You have a clue?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "But your client--" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Where to?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise awaited us upon the table. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "That's no good." "What shall I do?" room?" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been residence of the great financier. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a families. Now for the facts. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for lips." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Look there!" said he. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "You have carte blanche." have got?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the remarked. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in bill, which interests me deeply." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath.