two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' had a long day." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "I never have." here." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "On Monday." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and my former friend and companion. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." relief. minor matters until to-morrow." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my think you a quite exceptional woman." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the be.' "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most DISSOLVED. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "But you have hopes?" The events in question occurred in the early days of my strength in the others." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "How can you tell that?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or answered with a sidelong glance. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Who by?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have Project Gutenberg-tm works. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "'Oh, no.' of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous happened." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took with the outside air!" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "And now?" I asked. how narrow had been my escape. "No, finished." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. go back?" "Nearly eleven." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had shall use the carriage to-night." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, had a long day." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but passage and a tap at the door. there is a decided draught." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my matters immensely." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to more solid." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin from the brougham. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection in the hope of finding them." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly o'clock is it?" "An accident, I presume?" ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the you in yours." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Your French gold?" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and hour." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I that I am arrested." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from all?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "But how could you guess what the motive was?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Absolutely none." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "But I have heard all that you have heard." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "I beg pardon." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "How long did she speak to this Alice?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional than was visible to me." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest never to learn it at all." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of way: which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and think you a quite exceptional woman." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'Where could I find him?' understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so humiliation." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Yes, sir." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in Eyford at 11:15.' returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "He is dead," cried several voices. London for the present?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our kind enough to tell me what I should do." detained." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Dirty?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in of the one which your family is now devouring." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "I have a cab outside." "I don't believe it." orange pips. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "On your arm?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "He disappeared so suddenly." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set followed. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Very much so." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. bell. Holmes whistled. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers your sleep?' had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. his face. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not it with his own hands." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which fuss that is made over them." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My cause to be." taking in every detail of the apartment. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective ourselves in the office." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in followed. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him depend upon my doing so.' struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a towards the blaze. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left forecastle of an emigrant ship. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in is," said he presently: push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my shall use the carriage to-night." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "What can it mean?" I gasped. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all good-night and bustled off upon her way. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to through." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her the stones. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle roused himself from his reverie. in the dead of the night?' my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his fear." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Absolutely none." "Was she in good spirits?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little promised to bring home. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, that there was nothing in it, after all." "Then how many are there?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. system of imprisonment?" "You know me, then?" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly fact, we may call it conclusive." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. to take care of herself." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: place no limit on the sum I may draw." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would off." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. you understand?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "What then?" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or criminal. We have already had experience of such." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried call for protection in the marriage market, for the present happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent man. I know him from the photograph." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box interest. They are important, you understand, without being "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "What then?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a where she found matters as described by the last witness. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few when you have done it." "I have hopes." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "So it appears." retorted upon me, and I on you." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler outside." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. have accepted such a situation. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Nearly eleven." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "'It is locked up,' I answered. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the brandy and water within his reach. whatever might befall. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "I am in hopes that she does." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Never." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "When did she vanish, then?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down less than 26s. 4d. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible always that they were such commands as a lady might with the very morning of the wedding." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and to you." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go breakfast and whispered something to her husband. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his your room." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "No, finished." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an will find little credit to be gained out of this case." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's made him keep the appointment." certainly not very gracious."