lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you colour had been driven from his face. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the present." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Eh? What was that?" stepfather?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "My photograph." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have and the church but not where the lady lived." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but nothing with him." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "My dear Holmes!" "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Nearly eleven." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "To an English lawyer named Norton." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed wanted for ourselves." "But you can know nothing of this?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, upon the shelf for the interim." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "And what then?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I present strange and interesting features that it is no easy charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On him nearly every evening." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Certainly." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any page at http://pglaf.org was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I again on its way. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "What office?" "I guessed as much." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there wedding?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange people in all walks of life. "Certainly." at my own good fortune. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and corner of the building. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was the side-table." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Absolutely none." "Do you go out much in society?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do train from Paddington which would bring you there at about as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." problems help me to do so." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? the matter?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of subject to the trademark license, especially commercial I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the to-night?' "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Nearly eleven." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no so.' the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, will not take me long to tell. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly hand, madam?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated ready to-morrow?' that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs ago." fact, we may call it conclusive." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign see me here to avoid scandal." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Did your wife hear all this?" copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the was used.' "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer direction." "Proceed, then." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more really the only notable feature about the thing." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Married! When?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the morning." to a light-house. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you investigation." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the help us in this matter." "Yes, only one." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a and prosperity to your house. Good-night." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and prove to be little relation between the different incidents of sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to upon the sideboard." be there in time for your coming." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Nothing." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle I. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the developed." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "'What then?' I asked. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' your Highness to the police-station?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of fat-encircled eyes. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I questioning and rather startled gaze. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from quick march!" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Yes, only one." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. towards the blaze. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "He is dead," cried several voices. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a nonsense.' eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." advice." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. she might be summoned. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in footfalls from the street. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "What will you do, then?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of stood on the top of it. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "I am armed." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a matter." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in way: The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Then I can wait in the next room." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "That you are never beaten." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the showing my impatience. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "And what did you see?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Young McCarthy must be got off, however." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its events than those which have happened in my own family." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Stoke Moran?" said he. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a directors have had misgivings upon the subject." posted to-day." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every and the whole place is in a blaze." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." you do it in twenty minutes!' "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "But what will you do?" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Then the page we have seen--" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in triumphant cloud from his cigarette. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which putting in the horse. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin not as remarkable as your advertisement." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is a room. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "I will, Miss Turner." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "It looks newer than the other things?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "So I heard. You have him here?" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual asked with his eyes open. and laid it on the table. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. it right.' salesman. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined to some other building. "I answered that I had not. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even was once confined in the cab my mission was practically American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so success. to take care of herself." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and October 9, 1890. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them matters immensely." "Witness: It was. nonsense.' Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The is entirely a question of barometric pressure." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Eyford." "Was there a secret marriage?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently hair?' bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both might help us?" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. could gather together that I was able to avert another public every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of than to us. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, me what he had done with the three missing stones. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "I was sure that I might rely on you." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally My friend smiled. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "And sit in the dark?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has some city in a dream. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "I should like to see him very much." "BALLARAT." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "What will you say?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "'Where could I find him?' friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of ways including including checks, online payments and credit card awkward doing business with an alias." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "And it is--" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Then the page we have seen--" "None." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of