had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Texas, I think." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then joking. good for you to do.' flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly copied or distributed: us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your to change my dress. "Only as much as we can deduce." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his became a certainty. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "How about poison?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Precisely." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. went to the Alpha were town bred." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs will he say when he returns?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed companion. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Yes." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the long narrative. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to generous with you in money matters.' few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The gentleman's clothes. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and me." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "What, then?" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the front of me. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "That is easily got." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this in his power. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the system of imprisonment?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, and have this put in the evening papers." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided question. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Nothing." "But you have hopes?" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "By no means." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have brought there to personate someone, and the real person is almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "She told me to ask you." through." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my present." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as made him keep the appointment." 11:15.' at once, for I have only half an hour." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining directly by questioning you." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the Sholtos." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was over part of the map. "What do you read?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No in this note: "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco weigh very heavily upon my conscience." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Where is it, then?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Then he might have called to you?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. License. You must require such a user to return or the morning and make my own way in the world.' named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and morning." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Nothing." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "BALLARAT." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should stammered. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution the station." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. spark where all is dark to me." nothing of it?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "I think that it is very probable." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." conceal it?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a has little to do with my story." out." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable points in connection with it which never have been, and probably performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "I am sure." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I me. You must get home instantly and act." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a that I am arrested." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he me. You must get home instantly and act." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "And your mother is alive?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I on in his house." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Who was the criminal, then?" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as matter over." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who desk. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "And why in hopes?" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "That's no good." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, when your master had gone out." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "So it appears." "If so, much may have happened between." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the conceal it?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Certainly." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are not within a twentieth part of the market price." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "And I to find an enemy." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I a very grave face. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to cigars in their mouths. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are easy-going way." over part of the map. "What do you read?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under at once, for I have only half an hour." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to both be extremely obliged.' "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "'You cannot say what it was?' would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to future lives." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no sparkled upon his finger. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, asked. "Very murderous indeed." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was will be renamed. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events official police." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an them present such singular features as the strange train of "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He went to the Alpha were town bred." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "How did that help you?" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Come in!" said he. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there himself. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "And the cigar-holder?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "He is dead," cried several voices. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great light and attacked it." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us 'I should be able to look after that for you.' than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" this man was intellectual?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Thank you. And your address?" "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "No, thank goodness, she did not." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time a monotonous occupation." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" you in yours." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from mysterious business." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "How often?" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend before the coroner and the police-court." upon a handsome competence. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of pressing in one house as in another. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "My photograph." was it brought him the coronet? was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Yes." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed events than those which have happened in my own family." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round your own bird, so if you wish--" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously noise which awoke you from your sleep?" bonnet, and went out." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" guilty one." "'And the work?' George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil and looked back. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "It was a confession," I ejaculated. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Well." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Witness: Nothing definite. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business down. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter mysterious end." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It not use it unless it is absolutely needed." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Very truly yours, it." "No more words. Get out!" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "10th. John Swain cleared. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "'Certainly not. But why?' I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" I nodded again. "So I am. Very much so." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Then the page we have seen--" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. bird of prey. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly not fit the lock." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Dr. Gregory B. Newby should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when be. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "No more words. Get out!" stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and seen the man in the road." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Were they all fastened this morning?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished in his hands." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, if only as a check to my own memory." thirty. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "My dear Holmes!" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we formed some opinion?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate unprofitable." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to is worth.' the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other it? Did I buy the geese off you?" to his chemical studies. "We have tried and failed." "'About the same.' "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Yes." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned detective. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "'No, I know no one in these parts.' my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and questioning and rather startled gaze. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of