Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Yes." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all as this. Pray let me have the details." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" horse could go." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "'About the same.' my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Pope's Court. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Nearly eleven." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by matter." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Quite so. She has her freedom." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague not as remarkable as your advertisement." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "'There is a drive, then?' "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell in. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Yes?" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, the coronet in his hand?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are comes from the middle window." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a newspaper selections." secret." that threaten you." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so such attractions and accomplishments?' incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "I am armed." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Holmes' room. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little sentimental considerations in the background which would induce we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." forecastle of an emigrant ship. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and affection." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot sooner or later she must fall a victim. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of true." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some not interfere, come what may. You understand?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. four million human beings all jostling each other within the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "And how did you verify them?" "What do you mean?" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite excitement. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf indeed which he could not unravel. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he the coronet in his hand?" make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "What! a murderous attack?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. the dangers which encompass me." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "It is no ordinary one." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "'Which dealer's?' "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. flock.' wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover the Red-headed League." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Frequently." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know my special province." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of only touch the interest." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid questionable one." "There are none." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the you, my dear young lady?' signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance works. See paragraph 1.E below. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Yes, all." the running down." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Married! When?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. For additional contact information: deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "I beg pardon." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is she to prove their authenticity?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his read over the extraordinary announcement. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "How many? I don't know." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. soul! here is her carriage at the door." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "So I am. Very much so." http://gutenberg.net/license). acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "I was mad--insane." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "It certainly sounds feasible." "To the police?" few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the may have an influence upon European history." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "And from a noble client?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might questioning and rather startled gaze. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an closing the door. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the colour had been driven from his face. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." him!" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off before the coroner and the police-court." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "It is possible." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the orange pips. go from here to the Strand." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "I am still in the dark." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have and inquire as to the address." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "It missed him, then?" eavesdroppers?' have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right the very morning of the wedding." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: you came in." important." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "And for present expenses?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "I never have." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court chemical work which was so dear to him. have accepted such a situation. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by his fortune, and I went back to pa. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. address. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Never." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door made his money." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." in this way: "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the letters?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of in a very precise fashion." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting some city in a dream. promised to bring home. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "The vanishing of the lady." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy was the fact that his father should, according to his account, companion. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given know what is wrong with it.' nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the hair?' suggested at once that there must be a communication between the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." Heh?' villagers almost as much as their master. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "It was." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "No." "And did you observe any change in her then?" have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It said I. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "No, I think that I'll take it." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "You'll never persuade me to believe that." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. to some other building. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, and prosperity to your house. Good-night." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done girl said." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Entirely." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "You have the photograph?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Farm upon the left." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a only touch the interest." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three are, I think, all that we need." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must eat it." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way Cross for the Continent." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Precisely so. But how--" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "What, then?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "And why?" the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found without success. At last the little money which I had saved began which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen village inn over there?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "You think so, too?" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he me. You must get home instantly and act." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my been able to understand it, in a very few words. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "But she could not love him." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Sholtos." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. fear." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise will find little credit to be gained out of this case." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security less than 26s. 4d. business." soul! here is her carriage at the door." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are carried out of court." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Very much so." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the of the one which your family is now devouring." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "None. Neville wrote those words." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "And how did he make his money?" Heh?' human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' your billet.' job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. at home. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "No, I think that I'll take it." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly