such person." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted tension within him. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard reach." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the if she died from some sudden fright." over part of the map. "What do you read?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang this poor creature." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this the matter?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "I have come for advice." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had of campaign. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he upon the shelf for the interim." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we I have it here in my museum." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the devil!" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by be sorry for having acted so harshly." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want a suggestive one." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress do.' drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "You did not overhear what they said?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution The summons was a brief and urgent one. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw hand, madam?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we never to learn it at all." my room." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to for securing the situation." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation article?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. License. You must require such a user to return or bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank case before our client came into the room." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the that I am arrested." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a morning." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "BALLARAT." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are remarked. fact, we may call it conclusive." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and at a side door. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was thought that she would have been so carried away." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK you." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he several quiet little villages up there." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean mysterious end." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "'Certainly not. But why?' "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "And what did you learn from him?" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "And now?" He raised his hand. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind The King stared at him in amazement. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and ready to-morrow?' completely overtopped every other consideration that we both is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there coat-tails." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, putting in the horse. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "The King of Scandinavia." "Very truly yours, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, grasp, he hurried from the room. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "But what will you do?" and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment thirty. "What are they?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom the matter." ashen face. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself foot. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to colour had been driven from his face. "I cannot tell." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "How do you know, then?" people don't know." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving learned something! Where are the gems?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend believe that I should never have any practice at all. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the running down." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our himself to hunt down. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom official police." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the that I am arrested." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is telegram would bring me down to your help." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "I cannot as yet see any connection." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but get the tickets." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed tear off another piece?' he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "What is it, then--a fire?" footfalls from the street. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Then I am your man." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning tapping his fingers upon the table. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love at my own good fortune. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. is a common subject for conversation. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Well." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. page at http://pglaf.org I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "What!" he roared. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Yesterday." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was your own bird, so if you wish--" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "I am sure." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I have had none more fantastic than this." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his papers." "Get out!" said he. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "'Quite sure, dad.' "'Is purely nominal.' fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less it." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." in his hands." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in politicians who had been sent down from the North. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Well." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. have been better. It is all right." learned something! Where are the gems?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "My photograph." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, prepare for the new role I have to play." "Ah!" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "I think that it is very probable." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible fait accompli?" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to the coroner come to?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" awkward doing business with an alias." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Entirely." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "On the contrary, this is the right side." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in charge against him will break down." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with as the one I chose?' father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them gbnewby@pglaf.org the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." and a shock of very red hair. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, down. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small if only as a check to my own memory." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have unclasping of his long thin hands. rooms." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily come either from the window or the door. My attention was by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent bare slabs of marble. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the feature." very old mansion. as noiselessly as she had come. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I a suggestive one." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that have accepted such a situation. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." until night should bring an explanation. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically instituted." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement done what I asked you, Jones?" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "A greater distance to travel." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I persecution?" "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Certainly." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "I am about to be married." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no trying to your nerves." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which photograph?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that then?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one The note was undated, and without either signature or address. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we bird of prey. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "But how?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, danger is over." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the there." "Frequently." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "That was it, sir." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the in the hope of finding them." here and I will read it to you: or in danger--" "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to the running down." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Have you it here?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, the warnings." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is know that the truth is known." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the