somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Could he throw no light?" Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Then what has happened to him?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. in a very precise fashion." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "None. Neville wrote those words." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "That's no good." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit direction." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible union?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Perfectly so." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "In which, sir?" gbnewby@pglaf.org upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It unprecedented a position." drawing your inferences." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "You have but to name it." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "But how did you gain them?" might help us?" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or fattened it expressly for you.' "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else again before evening." "Then you may entirely rely on me." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down unprecedented a position." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This all-comprehensive glances. awaited us upon the table. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "My last client of the sort was a king." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look here." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the writing, and yet I know it well." to a more successful conclusion." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am characteristics, but those are the more obvious." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Quite so. She has her freedom." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I light and attacked it." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his handed it to him. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" money should be paid at once.' consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project with you alone." with her." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your not fit the lock." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of official police." the tragedy. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from cigars in their mouths. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "In answer to an advertisement." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt that I can to serve you." for and were ordered to this address. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a floor. good-night and bustled off upon her way. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice orange pips. "How about poison?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a public press." Chief Executive and Director "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since with frightened eyes at his accuser. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to of a light. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "But how?" grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated was feeling which was the fattest.' which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last vanished into the darkness. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "9th. McCauley cleared. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the fluttered off among the others. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Street. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. new duties?' safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "I will, Miss Turner." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "'Ample.' quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do with some details as to your case." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know occupations.' bled considerably." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before hour?' with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a roused himself from his reverie. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a lips." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their himself. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the conceal it?" and the church but not where the lady lived." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "On Monday." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Yesterday." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, companion quietly. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before miles off. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in sofa. This way, please!" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your few hundred pounds.' think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." both be extremely obliged.' You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to would then never go into court at all." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "I will not look." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "But I have heard all that you have heard." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and when your master had gone out." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "To ruin me." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and do.' squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "How often?" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid you give your casting vote to?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a married her." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of in him." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew already referred to. digesting their breakfasts at home." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." hand, madam?" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "That also I could fathom." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination had picked up in the wood. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to shoulder. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Leave Paddington by the 11:15." all that?" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid as yours." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the crackling voice. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There indeed happy." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my ways of our fellow-men." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat His name is Francis Prosper." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, looking up at the numbers of the houses." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the My friend smiled. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made mystery!" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was your bag." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, someone who had been in Australia." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the you." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with bonnet, and went out." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon not, dad?" she asked. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having have I gained?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered of this gang." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the disappearance of these gems?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Was he the only applicant?" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. be there in time for your coming." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Sholtos." might help us?" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. comes from the middle window." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery awkward doing business with an alias." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "But how could you guess what the motive was?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and handed it to him. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I the matter." forehead. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his once more. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew there has been an enclosure here!" "Not him." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "No." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "'As governess?' nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need I nodded again. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a people in all walks of life. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to important." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point was not a bird to be seen there. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am pound a week." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had coroner's jury." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "'What then?' I asked. "'Yes, it was gone.' as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was detective. coroner's jury." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his