he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you know all about it," he snarled. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present answered with a sidelong glance. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Very. But will he see it?" very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my your equipment. in the hope of finding them." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear very morning of my second wedding." comes from the middle window." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." one of the states of the Union." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. such person." "Come in!" said he. "Only as much as we can deduce." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those such person." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, suddenly upon us." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and neither fascinating nor artistic." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey I have it here in my museum." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent his face. "You are all wrong." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned intrusion of other matters." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "The doctor?" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed spare." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "But his lameness?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a generous with you in money matters.' to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "This photograph!" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots digesting their breakfasts at home." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow conversation I have gathered that they have been married about giving me time to thank him. business." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What returned to France?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in because she had spent so short a time in this country that she preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; and inquire as to the address." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried is a common subject for conversation. "And from a noble client?" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the digesting their breakfasts at home." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "A call for help, you thought?" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first system of imprisonment?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Pope's Court. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would next day. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and little adventures." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present the ceiling. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil giving me time to thank him. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers colonel looking down at me. province." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of perplexity from it to my illustrious client. companion. noting anything else of interest. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "A confidential servant?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Very murderous indeed." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at read it out to me." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, have established a very serious case against the son of the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than back into the street. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any fait accompli?" some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would certainly not very gracious." "One of the highest in England." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," note?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and could gather together that I was able to avert another public Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us outside. "I cannot tell." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink individual and becomes the badge of a society." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" of campaign. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. house for five minutes.' the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the be sorry for having acted so harshly." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "I have hopes." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must clang of the bell. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, bled considerably." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with matters immensely." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new straightened it out again. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "It was a confession," I ejaculated. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Precisely so. But how--" cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, to a more successful conclusion." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary for the market.' "It looks newer than the other things?" in his hands." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Eyford." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than way in everything. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious Leave Paddington by the 11:15." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to of a light. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Countess of Morcar's?" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "He is dead," cried several voices. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Then what has happened to him?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out very peculiar words of the dying woman?" to tell." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "At what time?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the constraint." and laid it on the table. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds meant it for the best. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress floor. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "But the mystery?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "This concluded the examination of the witness." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw extraordinary contortions. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from if she died from some sudden fright." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever felt the room to be a little close.' 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose fact, we may call it conclusive." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay works. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "You forget that I know nothing about it." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Very. But will he see it?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Yes." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had helping a boy to put up the shutters. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your detained." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a place, I think that there is good ground to think that the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be like gravel from a pit.' dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Here?" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so narrative." 1.F. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the them?" Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the out." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a once more. later, upon the night of May 2nd." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the looking up at the numbers of the houses." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I confronted him. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare pound a week." "None." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, I. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big behind me. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. speckled band?" residence of the great financier. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even retorted upon me, and I on you." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little true." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Was your sister dressed?" You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get this unhappy family?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "I think it very unlikely." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "And how?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that cigar and let me expound." shoulder. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens arrangements." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "'As governess?' most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Yes." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up rooms." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a For additional contact information: yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "That is it on the dressing-table." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, and laid it on the table. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. floor. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and that threaten you." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me present." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, License. You must require such a user to return or someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is I held the little printed slip to the light. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, the so-precious time, but come!' closely." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall rose-bushes. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Nothing." "No, but the enclosure is." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our this unhappy family?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "No." Munro.' I shall continue with my miserable story. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of upon the shelf for the interim." affair. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon things are very often connected not with the larger but with the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "An enemy?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" me.