"I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, neither fascinating nor artistic." beg that you will break it off." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to horse could go." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating fattened it expressly for you.' "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "I would give my fortune to have them back." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing some terrible trap for her." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "What! a murderous attack?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "One horse?" interjected Holmes. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my at home. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than even so self-evident a thing as that." room. Sutherland. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "The rest you will leave in our hands." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "You did not overhear what they said?" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a But Holmes shook his head gravely. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth me. You must get home instantly and act." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four as he remarks, very much against the son." than was visible to me." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong the night.' go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and becomes even more simple." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up weary and pale-looking. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most said Mr. Holder. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "'And the work?' to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass that you saw all that I did." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door empty. persecution?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 think you a quite exceptional woman." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and like that before?" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich companion quietly. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "It is his hat." unclasping of his long thin hands. "By train from Waterloo." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all I was concerned in it." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for made him keep the appointment." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'About the same.' her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "My opinion is in no way altered." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. room. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Farm upon the left." interest. They are important, you understand, without being which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have the general public were present, then?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with a good hundred miles off by now." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual not personally threatened." grasp, he hurried from the room. "It was an hour's good drive." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, and effective." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the imbecility!" he cried. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the devil!" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "About a month then." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by shaken than I had ever seen him. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "But what is it you wish?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to late." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, trifles." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank where Mr. Fordham shows you.' light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a call you and give you the chance." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is The summons was a brief and urgent one. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until main points of my analysis." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Do you receive much company?" he asked. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not from you?" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "No. What a strange idea!" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take light and attacked it." Lee, in the county of Kent." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy name is different." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with enter into my head. quick march!" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "In which, sir?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a I leave." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you enter Dr. Roylott's room." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Yes, certainly." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "And who is her maid?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing that you saw all that I did." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is himself to hunt down. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Yes, they were peculiar boots." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of passage and a tap at the door. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence hand, madam?" village inn over there?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat cheerful." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal secret." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then carpenter." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Yes." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which eat it." has little to do with my story." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before question," said Holmes, smiling. Serpentine Avenue. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced most important business. It is probable that he will be away all contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "By all means." "Perhaps I have." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of out." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you him and tried to hold him back. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in been shamefully used." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all on re-entering her father's house?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about wedding?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Young McCarthy must be got off, however." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be like that before?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. hurried by. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "'And the work?' or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight one of them." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who recall any case within my experience which looked at the first since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his vault. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that was keenly on my guard against him. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "You have a clue?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. made him keep the appointment." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "My last client of the sort was a king." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two ceremony." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "I will get her to show me." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring plantation.' "And is that all?" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Dirty?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such any." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of points in connection with it which never have been, and probably swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "'I am sure that I do not know.' Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, and put his glass in his pocket. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, that there was nothing in it, after all." that I can to serve you." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Dirty?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "I have solved it." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe money should be paid at once.' more terrible than the truth. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" who was a member of your goose club." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, ourselves in the office." It may be so in this case, also." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you bonnet, and went out." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Then I do not see the point." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Holmes' thin, eager face. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "'No, I know no one in these parts.' went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Why, what do you mean?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire out of this horrible affair." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "About a month then." where she found matters as described by the last witness. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how it right.' laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "'A dozen yards or so.' think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all once more on the important position which you have been fortunate sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found present." read over the extraordinary announcement. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but window when the police appeared." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you chance at all." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "It is half-past ten now." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "I shall be delighted." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Was there a secret marriage?" good for you to do.' "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable only touch the interest." may have an influence upon European history." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Did your wife hear all this?" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She off." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the business at Coburg Square is serious." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, questionable one." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, you, my dear young lady?' The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Here?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "'I am sure if I had known--' The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the