late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop it. "Precisely." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst bell. Holmes whistled. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the walking." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Texas, I think." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "That sounds a little paradoxical." true." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had as this. Pray let me have the details." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Look there!" said he. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, unprecedented a position." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was take the flies, but not before." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. the dangers which encompass me." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. showing my impatience. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of annoyance, but no jest. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper to that open window." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. towards the blaze. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear fact, we may call it conclusive." "Then I do not see the point." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour you do it in twenty minutes!' It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so it right.' which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the ventilator." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of that I may have something better before very many minutes are was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "That also I could fathom." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a notes," he said. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to which was all perfectly true. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I made his money." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to know what is wrong with it.' conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed License. You must require such a user to return or among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in himself. I am not easy in my mind about them." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "It is very kind of you." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on will be renamed. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you not, dad?" she asked. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Frequently." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'Certainly not. But why?' But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there congenial hunt. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Have you her photograph?" them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. page at http://pglaf.org morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt tension within him. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "But his left-handedness." not fit the lock." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the manager. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a ventilator." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Breckinridge is his name." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found case-book, which he consulted. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes what do you think they found in the pockets?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "What office?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or developed." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the through." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them giving me time to thank him. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at sentimental considerations in the background which would induce conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears presume?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their developed." whereabouts. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and of a light. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." But Holmes shook his head gravely. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes make me his representative both with the servants and with the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune go--none." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, lectures into a series of tales." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a individual and becomes the badge of a society." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when allusion to a rat. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the present." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their better in every way that they should make their position a little use an arc-and-compass breastpin." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I not, dad?" she asked. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried lamp in his hand. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little about here speaks of his kindness to him." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "But it has twice been burgled." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Come in!" said he. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly answered with a sidelong glance. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all photograph?" would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his nothing of it?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' train.' "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, affection." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Certainly." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Not yet." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is envelope. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But into the room. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens tell them apart.' "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Has he come with you to-night?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "She walked into the breakfast-room." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Munro.' iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. was feeling which was the fattest.' I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. 1.F. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "You have but to name it." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the such attractions and accomplishments?' slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the himself. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you when you have done it." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you of receipt of the work. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "But he might be a bachelor." residence of the great financier. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at where Mr. Fordham shows you.' of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Mary, has deserted me." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Pope's Court, Fleet Street." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "But how will you look?" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather gives a meaning to it." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention bears upon the case?" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Yes, I have one waiting." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under wife's character?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "And how did he make his money?" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Well, it is a possible supposition." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, minor matters until to-morrow." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "The murder was done with it." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution carriage. It was a chestnut." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to crime. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of the coronet in his hand?" face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the of his shoulders. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood look upon these things in a different way." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is amused." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "But it has twice been burgled." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time noise which awoke you from your sleep?" you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "No good news?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City ordinary clothes on?" cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of License. You must require such a user to return or think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly papers diligently of late, have you not?" then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "But who is he?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "What do you make of that, Watson?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered.