"'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her village inn over there?" by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "That's no good." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "How did he come?" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a through." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do with some details as to your case." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Yes, that is the Crown." "'Yes, it was gone.' smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and with her." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such outside. My friend smiled. "There is the writing." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us wanted for ourselves." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "'A dozen yards or so.' still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had http://www.gutenberg.net My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in not as remarkable as your advertisement." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. prisoner's face. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he to that open window." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I and capable of preserving a secret.' "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal present strange and interesting features that it is no easy trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps himself to tell his story. through." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Yes." girl said." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you telegram would bring me down to your help." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." allusion to a rat. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door occurred." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, was not a bird to be seen there. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which not personally threatened." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day make me his representative both with the servants and with the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of sake, don't!" "And when will you call?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the miles off. "Why did you pick him?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are giving me time to thank him. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the Eyford." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Stoke Moran." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Pray do so." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." will not take me long to tell. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "I would pay ten." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of chamber." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for him and tried to hold him back. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "He disappeared so suddenly." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you and it need not interfere very much with one's other scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Yes." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until relation between them, and what the object of his repeated a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; our word." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds conceal it?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the instituted." "It is very kind of you." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the for securing the situation." "'What do you call purely nominal?' the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not indiscretion." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed nonsense.' tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to bears upon the case?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." happened." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Pray do so." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. fled together." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles criminal. We have already had experience of such." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and is now desirous of getting those letters back." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Lee, in the county of Kent." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers case-book, which he consulted. been deceived." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "BALLARAT." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "What! a murderous attack?" know what is wrong with it.' could go. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than very morning of my second wedding." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "To ruin me." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, detective. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Have you good authority for what you say?" "You are all wrong." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "I am to be neutral?" "What is it?" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the It may be so in this case, also." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now read it out to me." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, the warnings." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "By no means." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel he bowed and left the room without another word. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "I know where it is." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at Holmes." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he before, for it was considerably after midnight. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "What is it?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey unclasping of his long thin hands. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in so far?" than to us. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an ashen face. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was The summons was a brief and urgent one. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the stammered. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home stepfather?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently the driver. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, have one." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Do you go out much in society?" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "That is unusual in a young girl." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a that you can jump it.' "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has wedding?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." future lives." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Mary, has deserted me." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said lamp in his hand. who was a member of your goose club." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Project Gutenberg-tm works. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two indeed which he could not unravel. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "No, I am descending." disappearance of the bride.'" living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "The King of Scandinavia." "'Yes, sir.' have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Indeed! Whose, then?" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I the ceiling. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me foot. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than girl said." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "It certainly sounds feasible." "To the police?" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "But she will refuse." nothing with him." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a examine." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "I think it very unlikely." IS "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "What are they?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project ready to-morrow?' matters immensely." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much visitors." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From before the coroner and the police-court." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said the stones. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "The King of Scandinavia." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I everything which you would wish to know." written, and locked the door of the office after me. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Yes." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." have been better. It is all right." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "10th. John Swain cleared. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, to-night." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Certainly." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Have you her photograph?" determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "My dear Holmes!" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of from the brougham. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Who was the criminal, then?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "We must have a cab." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond 1.F. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a again, where I was soon asleep. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in