window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right do.' "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly with frightened eyes at his accuser. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An power." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Her father is very rich?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my be. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." I am not easy in my mind about them." "You horrify me." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "We have tried and failed." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and colonel looking down at me. already been minutely examined." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "And how have you succeeded?" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "How on earth--" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Serpentine Avenue. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "A thing like a cleaver," said he. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "You have it, sir, just as it happened." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "'Certainly not. But why?' "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "My dear Holmes!" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "One of his hands." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "And Irene Adler?" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. to-night." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "One of the highest in England." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Dr. Gregory B. Newby "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. writer." lamp. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges towards the blaze. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to will he say when he returns?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very have I gained?" friend's singular character. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that events than those which have happened in my own family." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' to arrive at through this?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and question you as to those details which seem to me to be most he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the little trying to do so much typewriting?" like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do hands. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring is," said he presently: there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "And is that all?" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them front of me. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely asked with his eyes open. "Who was the criminal, then?" you." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "You have but to name it." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I 1.E.9. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me shall not find me ungrateful." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman address. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous shall use the carriage to-night." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little matter." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "I am following you closely," I answered. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining own family. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Eyford." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole envelope. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup London for the present?" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not back to my heart. "Deserted you?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "No." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "But you have hopes?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "My last client of the sort was a king." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, knowledge of the world." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he me. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Then the page we have seen--" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Sholtos." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." cigars in the box." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the way in everything. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "And I to find an enemy." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "'What do you call purely nominal?' observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I the very letters. But what is this written above them?' his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "And how did you find out?" very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." works. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Her father is very rich?" "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his remarked. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Does that suggest anything?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were know that the truth is known." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "What steps will you take?" I asked. gbnewby@pglaf.org of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "You horrify me!" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Which surely he restored to their owner?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a approach us with offers to donate. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "I would give my fortune to have them back." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of past. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy Street. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Never." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "'Oh, no.' matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "I think that I had better go, Holmes." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some bled considerably." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Do you receive much company?" he asked. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for companion imperturbably. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, persecution?" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, him to be an active member of the medical profession." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" be there in time for your coming." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Was your sister dressed?" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Never." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her enter Dr. Roylott's room." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Then you may entirely rely on me." with her." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an three fields round his house, and there he would take his "He is dead," cried several voices. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being look dissatisfied." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very nothing with him." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see appointment with me for six o'clock?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by wedding?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between the devil!" Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in recall any case within my experience which looked at the first lumber-room." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you the night.' wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford your room." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "'I shall certainly be there.' "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic detained." "But he might be a bachelor." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "About a month then." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "I cannot say that I have." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Where does the thing come from?' "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. side. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." in him." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that whether it answered to the description of any of their "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "But the mystery?" definite end. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we nights." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! during the last few years, and there are many noble families to the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and the matter." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with his forehead." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Proceed, then." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Pray continue your narrative." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in gone. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "No bad?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Nothing?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." that I may have something better before very many minutes are very old mansion. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime absorbing." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but know what is wrong with it.' Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "But who is he?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the iron safe, which he closed upon it. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue cause to be." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which o'clock is it?" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup him to be an active member of the medical profession." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is already been minutely examined." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my point our research must commence, and we will begin it by return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been detective. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a