Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons is acting for the best. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my any." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened examination of the premises, but without finding anything which accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother him!" was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect chamber." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! to-night?" I asked. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge indeed happy." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client It may be so in this case, also." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "I have seen the police." take the flies, but not before." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the that you can jump it.' and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of tear off another piece?' A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among once more for Briony Lodge. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A ventilator." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "And your father? Did you tell him?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two you." father's young wife. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the coroner come to?" confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I wanted for ourselves." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked beyond words. photograph a cabinet?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Cross for the Continent." fire. You quite follow me?" third from London." lost nothing by them." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the and put his glass in his pocket. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of papers must be those that are destroyed.' "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to least a most suspicious remark." "Where, then?" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "But your client--" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "What! Had he lost his wife?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. are windows in it, of course?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "No sign of it?" think, you have already met." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "From his hat?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between 'please.'" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he crime. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, think that he is innocent?" "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do get the tickets." "You forget that I know nothing about it." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Cross for the Continent." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at do you make of it all?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The strong reason behind." arrangements." any." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the him nearly every evening." "Proceed, then." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me forecastle of an emigrant ship. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain During two years I have had three consultations and one small the stable lane now." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Upon what point?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." matter." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Where did you address your letters, then?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and disturbance in my wife." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was distinguish the words: It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella situation." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent not use it unless it is absolutely needed." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at read it out to me." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell awaited us upon the table. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique horse could go." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes success. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "I am about to be married." some terrible trap for her." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Yes, sir." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "I saw her in conversation with her maid." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while I have it here in my museum." Where does the thing come from?' lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the weary and pale-looking. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that returning from some small jollification and was making his way you came in." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "I cannot say that I have." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my again, where I was soon asleep. "Where to?" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Can I be of assistance?" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think true." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the recover the gem." "Quite so. She has her freedom." business?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' any little problem which you may submit to me." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all The telegram which we eventually received came late one night manager. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Did you become engaged then?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the of his shoulders. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found forecastle of an emigrant ship. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "I should like to see him very much." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "But how?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "I have my revolver," said I. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, it were putty." 'please.'" "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of the inquest, and which are worth considering." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. unprecedented a position." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and narrative." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are of Mr. Rucastle's." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. particular state visit http://pglaf.org "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "'And the work?' should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Then, as to money?" business." closely." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in status with the IRS. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the 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, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for about. returning from some small jollification and was making his way neither fascinating nor artistic." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon promised to bring home. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which furiously. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold You want to know what became of those geese?" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for hurried away. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to seem to you to be relevant or not." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" strength of mind to control. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "A thing like a cleaver," said he. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "But she could not love him." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me some terrible trap for her." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" be.' down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "He said too much." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "What is it, then--a fire?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Lee, in the county of Kent." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I there when the Rucastles went away." "Yes, from Horsham." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to excitement. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I think that it is very probable." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Sutherland. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "How often?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds never will be, entirely cleared up. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. your troubles." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." coat-tails." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "I beg pardon." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I was it brought him the coronet? twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten assist you in forming an opinion." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend way in." "There is the writing." "Indeed! Whose, then?" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most it were putty." hurried away. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "'And what salary do you ask?' has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the the running down." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the be best to do. "She walked into the breakfast-room." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had that there was nothing in it, after all." empty. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Doctor, of the paper and the date." entirely lost his self-respect." with some details as to your case." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Very. But will he see it?" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Certainly." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "At the wedding breakfast." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that with frightened eyes at his accuser. for and were ordered to this address. went to the Alpha were town bred." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, new duties?' "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which question you as to those details which seem to me to be most key of the affair now." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "No." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Seven!" I answered. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The such person." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need