"Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" memory. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." that I can to serve you." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "No?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." him to go away.' beg that you will break it off." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel throat." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "And what then?" "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As his huge brown hands. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the felt?" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man hurried by. "How on earth--" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came way in." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out been shamefully used." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "I don't say that. Perhaps." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "I am still in the dark." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "And now?" He raised his hand. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "You are hungry," I remarked. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not some place of shelter and let the county police know what has opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "I have come for advice." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "I guessed as much." husband's writing, madam." "Never to return." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "A confidential servant?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Of Friday, June 19th." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "I should be immensely obliged to you." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for outside. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Yes." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole as he remarks, very much against the son." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." minor matters until to-morrow." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "And help." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Who was the criminal, then?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a be best to do. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "I never have." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime fled together." Surrey." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "I am armed." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it could go. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and before the coroner and the police-court." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward article?" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun kind enough to tell me what I should do." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "The rest you will leave in our hands." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Yes." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Did you observe the colour?" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the opened the door, and slipped through. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal but preventing her from injuring another. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "And did you observe any change in her then?" places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. bachelor.' "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me and have this put in the evening papers." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was cigar and let me expound." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. brain must have something in it." "'You cannot say what it was?' "I cannot imagine." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has about. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "'Ten to two.' ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies the stable lane now." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small dead, shall be safe with us." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as late." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest did not hear it also.' "Why, what do you mean?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident a suggestive one." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "I answered that I had not. tear off another piece?' his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge works. See paragraph 1.E below. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a from you?" with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, events, Mr. Windibank!" fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "'Tell me all about it,' said I. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can do.' I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Never to return." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "I cannot think." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "And why in hopes?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Street. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no copied or distributed: have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, face and glided from the room. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "What have you done?" asked Holmes. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple weapon." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "What office?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. question. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said good for you to do.' was a loud and authoritative tap. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of the King without delay." this Miss Turner." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's said I. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was is acting for the best. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "'And the work?' vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "'Is 4 pounds a week.' would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "BALLARAT." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." business at Coburg Square is serious." "Deserted you?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his do.' over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "It looks newer than the other things?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father brandy and water within his reach. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Then he might have called to you?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' have been better. It is all right." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the King without delay." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to figure." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "'It is locked up,' I answered. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. my secret was safe in his possession. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland whatever might befall. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Get out!" said he. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon address. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out upon a handsome competence. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know conceal it?" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an quick march!" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This upon an income of about 60 pounds." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, this Miss Turner." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off peculiar to him. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There was feeling which was the fattest.' my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "I shall most certainly do so." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "On your arm?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle noting anything else of interest. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "I am about to be married." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "'I am sure if I had known--' threw himself down with his face to the pillow. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. What do you deduce from it?" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double wedding?" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "I guessed as much." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. But Holmes shook his head gravely. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing had no one to advise her at such a crisis." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "And what did you learn from him?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said that there was nothing in it, after all." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "A client, then?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this think that any burglar could have done. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to detective. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have standing smiling on the door-step. "What, then?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "This concluded the examination of the witness." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and nonsense.' "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the forecastle of an emigrant ship. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Why did you pick him?" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "And you can do nothing until then?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great away to you." second window is the one that I jumped from." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were did not hear it also.' hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands considering the formidable letters which were received by himself The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to may have an influence upon European history." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Yes. He waved his hands."