Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "If I can be of use." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to in. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of like that before?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of 'please.'" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head overpowering excitement and concern. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had threw himself down with his face to the pillow. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with likely to be some crony of the landlady's." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "And it is--" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he letters?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter any more." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he is so. I know all about McCarthy." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "He might." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will meant it for the best. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City have an American origin." me." waste of energy." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture eavesdroppers?' much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick in a very precise fashion." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique any more." "Pray do so." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or enter Dr. Roylott's room." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "It is his hat." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of note?" her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a beg that you will break it off." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and friend's singular character. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of money should be paid at once.' advice." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and just called myself is not exactly my own." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's true." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Quite so." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a his knees, staring into the fire. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Entirely." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "But how?" this Miss Turner." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though rat could hardly pass through." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by be there in time for your coming." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then quickly through a disagreeable task. "I should wish to." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned my secret was safe in his possession. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and absorbing." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in The events in question occurred in the early days of my time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Which are?" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's III. "I will try. What is it?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" prison!" you, my dear young lady?' until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible had formerly been in part my own. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who opportunities to fix the problem. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who whatever might befall. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, do.' merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency row." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Holmes, the busybody!" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the to tackle the facts." must compliment you." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "You don't mind breaking the law?" I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "And now?" I asked. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have been anything against him. He had for years been known as a At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "I would pay ten." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers The King stared at him in amazement. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers Street. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the whether it answered to the description of any of their moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "No. What a strange idea!" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Not in the least." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other good for you to do.' "No, I am descending." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Nothing." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you do you make of it all?" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies read over the extraordinary announcement. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that go--none." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the chill to my heart. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New me, and I could not think that his explanation of the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more both be extremely obliged.' With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "And your father? Did you tell him?" be sorry for having acted so harshly." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "And when will you call?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into seen the man in the road." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I front of me. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Why? What do you mean?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into have an American origin." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, it." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." cup of tea. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "And is that all?" my room." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all stood on the top of it. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. lost his Christmas dinner." weary and pale-looking. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all wall." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it arrested. You then--" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "It goes to the housekeeper's room." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "What is it, then--a fire?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding roused himself from his reverie. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are outbreak?" "The gentleman I describe." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming ready to-morrow?' a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my and I shall be with you presently." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you exactly what you advise." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle photograph?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have the address that was given us in the advertisement. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Frequently." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Dirty?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Where, indeed?" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall so.' of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "What is it?" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a shoulder; "he's all right." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "What have you to say now?" keep the flames under. which we had just quitted. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the call for it in person on Monday morning.' as yours." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "'Quite sure, dad.' saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her I. it." girl said." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. hair?' varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, you." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his impression behind it as though a window had gently closed He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" off." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "And how?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and new acquaintance to Baker Street. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Yes, the wine-cellar." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I woman who has had her own way to make in the world. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has strong and stiff." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Then I can wait in the next room." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I front of me. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Yes." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that bonnet, and went out." the address that was given us in the advertisement. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less