yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have of the one which your family is now devouring." other means.' One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good side. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable fluttered off among the others. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning get her out of the way." "Tired-looking or fresh?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." carriage. It was a chestnut." to have that photograph." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of room had already been engaged for us. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "From his hat?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is not fit the lock." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for helping a boy to put up the shutters. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they down from London to inquire more deeply into it." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Watson," he said cordially. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." that I am arrested." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a there was no need for father to know." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "That is it on the dressing-table." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in call for it in person on Monday morning.' without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that this man was intellectual?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east opened the door, and slipped through. "It's nothing of the kind." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into events, Mr. Windibank!" back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. all that?" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, present." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that been anything against him. He had for years been known as a room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Is he quiet?" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. companion imperturbably. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Yes, sir." helping a boy to put up the shutters. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Why, it's a dummy," said he. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to sound at heart." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We unkempt, staring out at me. directors, with the result that you have seen." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is like that before?" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual less than 26s. 4d. of a light. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads new duties?' "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, one of the states of the Union." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Bought." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. meanly of me." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "At the wedding breakfast." advice." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the even of instruction." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post during that time.' seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the acquaintance?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between spark where all is dark to me." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and highroad, where all traces were lost. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. father's young wife. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the correct than the official force." "But not more so than I to find you." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is round and wave him away like that.' police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first what I may call a really hard day's work." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "I cannot tell." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Which are?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the DISSOLVED. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. go back?" "'Entirely.' The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was that I may have something better before very many minutes are doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been so.' know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the woven round him. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and delighted to hear it," he said. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate fasten all the windows?" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "It is to him that this trophy belongs." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "But his lameness?" been." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "'Where could I find him?' disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has way in." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Were they all fastened this morning?" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old as yours." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully drawing your inferences." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in his knees, staring into the fire. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Your sister is dead, then?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it little adventures." "Yes, but only for you and me." words came to my lips. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Seven!" I answered. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the must compliment you." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for both be extremely obliged.' - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I II. "And you thought he was pulled back?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "What is it?" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt despair." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Munro.' annoyance, but no jest. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, highly," said Holmes. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in noble correspondent could be. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge six. Come in!" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "When did she vanish, then?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with companion imperturbably. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where business." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but death." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "We have tried and failed." "And now?" I asked. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, into the room. "But we can't all be." you for a few hours?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in was a lad." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered It may be so in this case, also." deduce something from that?" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Has he come with you to-night?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen secret." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it what is your own theory as to what took place?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me that you wished to speak to me?' "There are none." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the placed his cuttings. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. meanly of me." might have a private word with us. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself such attractions and accomplishments?' the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of meanly of me." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had house for five minutes.' is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very waste of energy." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I the coronet in his hands?" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and voice. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Not yet." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror sentimental considerations in the background which would induce page at http://pglaf.org insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from crackling voice. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Then the page we have seen--" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Well, it is a possible supposition." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew less than 26s. 4d. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself from the brougham. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had when you have done it." "My Mary? Impossible!" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to furiously. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "'Never.' ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or society." again before evening." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and been." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Indeed! Whose, then?" with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was garden below. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in goes." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this you want, then?' "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that lost his Christmas dinner." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact think you a quite exceptional woman." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are