"Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Entirely." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Is he quiet?" "That was it, sir." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and morning." within hail.' "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. hands. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "It is a murder, then?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Was there a secret marriage?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they a suggestive one." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "I should be immensely obliged to you." rose-bushes. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day be sorry for having acted so harshly." I am not easy in my mind about them." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery direction." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means his fortune, and I went back to pa. "The gentleman I describe." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not bled considerably." chemical work which was so dear to him. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "What! a murderous attack?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "'Oh, no.' "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to very morning of my second wedding." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see client, rising. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "A confidential servant?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "I beg pardon." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Miss Holder?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part completely overtopped every other consideration that we both continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a not come at once?" opened the door, and slipped through. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Very much so." hurried away. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" official police." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would hurried away. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out never came back." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual asked. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and crackling voice. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event villagers almost as much as their master. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "The best possible." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. before, for it was considerably after midnight. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. drove away. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" results." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. future lives." of the way of danger. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, case before our client came into the room." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an sneer upon his pale face. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and place of silver." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a your billet.' are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a the so-precious time, but come!' father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "I shall be delighted." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well mysterious end." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at of his shoulders. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the be best to do. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "'And what salary do you ask?' past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "I am armed." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! question you as to those details which seem to me to be most explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to invisible to me," I remarked. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and My friend smiled. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I man. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor your own bird, so if you wish--" unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project several quiet little villages up there." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged wedding?" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "The King of Scandinavia." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. was a perfect sample of the class. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That be there in time for your coming." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "My dear Holmes!" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor very peculiar words of the dying woman?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I to his chemical studies. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress disappearance of the bride.'" highroad, where all traces were lost. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than present." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "No, finished." wedding?" "'A dozen yards or so.' garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the I approached. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which wanted for ourselves." "Here?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project murdered man." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take vanished into the darkness. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Well." orange pips. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole call it cruel." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "In the cells." "Did you become engaged then?" "Very murderous indeed." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Were they all fastened this morning?" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" to surprise her." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" nonsense.' in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. conduct the inquiry." with you alone." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" whereabouts. he bowed and left the room without another word. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your said Mr. Holder. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's little adventures." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is dramatic, in fact." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only the bed, and you in that chair." nice household for a young lady." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar will be renamed. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door to surprise her." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the of the way of danger. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "I have solved it." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. house for five minutes.' have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these shoulder. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches developed." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug carriage. It was a chestnut." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were detective. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the acquaintance?" sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Miss Holder?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Your French gold?" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, the ceiling. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel said he at last. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "'What then?' I asked. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I with you alone." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "You horrify me!" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a next day. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a heavily into it. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" London for the present?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save strode off upon his way. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Ten will be early enough." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely at a side door. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the call for it in person on Monday morning.' struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "I say that I have solved it." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "I think that it is very probable." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "None." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." question," said Holmes, smiling. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "You have it, sir, just as it happened." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small hardly wander." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize http://www.gutenberg.net forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped to have that photograph." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Pope's Court. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I yourselves in at night?" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. just ask you whether you had heard it.' explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with there has been an enclosure here!" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair empty. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "'Very good.' "That's no good." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was cigar and let me expound." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and hour." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I than to us. way: He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. place no limit on the sum I may draw." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Witness: I must still refuse. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I the room while you explain this matter?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a