There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "By all means." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a clang of the bell. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "And now?" I asked. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the horse could go." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had it means?" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "The King of Scandinavia." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided in darkness. believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Certainly." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Countess of Morcar's?" of receipt of the work. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he said he. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Married! When?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in crime. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment upon the white wrist. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Holmes rather sternly. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the room?" "And the cigar-holder?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes begin with, and I had not got mine yet." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Miss Holder?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more of the efforts of the United States government and of the better from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "'I shall certainly be there.' the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will putting in the horse. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." chance." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some business came to an end." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and will find little credit to be gained out of this case." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 important." present." "That sounds a little paradoxical." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Lee, in the county of Kent." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Is he quiet?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet heavy and sharp instrument." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had discontent upon his features. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic o'clock is it?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." manager. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "And on what day did he meet his death?" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. see a sister of mine apply for." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of works. See paragraph 1.E below. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Surrey." "It is no ordinary one." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, brandy and water within his reach. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "The Coroner: What do you mean? father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But should be taken.' once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Here?" "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all if I call to-morrow?" arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "And how did you find out?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Will you go?" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Not social, then?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you me upon any point which I do not make clear." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in more solid." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is visitors." the inner apartment." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Your presence might be invaluable." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Have you it here?" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; what is your own theory as to what took place?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. started for the Temple to see my husband. McCarthy." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Which surely he restored to their owner?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Then how many are there?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Very truly yours, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to know that the truth is known." good for you to do.' the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as IS in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." some terrible trap for her." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed a monotonous occupation." companion quietly. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Certainly, madam." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this States. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed key of the affair now." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "I cannot think." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Count Von Kramm." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no along the entire front of the house, with three long windows foresight and the moral retrogression?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood there in twenty minutes." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon bachelor.' thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had spark where all is dark to me." "And who is her maid?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as during that time.' I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "'And what salary do you ask?' saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I before the coroner and the police-court." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "That is unusual in a young girl." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "And how in the world did you find them?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "And why in hopes?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Where is it, then?" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost distance from the station, and there we found the young lady see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, and the whole place is in a blaze." "9th. McCauley cleared. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner is worth.' "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "What can it mean?" I gasped. "But how?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Game for a morning drive?" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "I was certainly surprised to find you there." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "It surprised me." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, exactly what you advise." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "I was mad--insane." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "And how have you succeeded?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret place no limit on the sum I may draw." coroner's jury." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, new acquaintance to Baker Street. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are one of the states of the Union." think you a quite exceptional woman." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as business." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you hurried by. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "'Is purely nominal.' the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor disappearance of these gems?" first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in pound a week." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "He said too much." side. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every to a more successful conclusion." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Yes, certainly." three fields round his house, and there he would take his trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad to tackle the facts." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how upon the sideboard." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her one else, I think." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and disappearance of these gems?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly some terrible trap for her." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." never to learn it at all." "Yes, it was twisted." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven until night should bring an explanation. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm if only as a check to my own memory." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "A thing like a cleaver," said he. there is a decided draught." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the ourselves in the office." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Did you observe the colour?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "So I have heard." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground.