leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman anything to a woman, for she would have her way." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Of Friday, June 19th." the general public were present, then?" game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Where is it, then?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and and inquire as to the address." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Miss Holder?" legal crime." "Then I do not see the point." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord the night.' accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. death." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' used to be." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "You will not go there first?" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but who was a member of your goose club." security.' from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, you give your casting vote to?" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Holmes' thin, eager face. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I see many objections to any such theory." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken him to go away.' was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "You have it, sir, just as it happened." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Yes, the wine-cellar." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil depend upon my doing so.' bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of neither fascinating nor artistic." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as business came to an end." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding in this note: "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "That sounds a little paradoxical." the very morning of the wedding." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left seen the man in the road." believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Then I am your man." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "But how did you gain them?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Where does the thing come from?' nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "That sounds a little paradoxical." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate and capable of preserving a secret.' "One of the highest in England." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not back into the street. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was bell. Holmes whistled. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Yes." congenial hunt. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "What have you to say now?" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "The landlord of the Alpha." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately she might be summoned. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only relation between them, and what the object of his repeated the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "When did she vanish, then?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "By all means." Holmes' room. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough which should have the effect of calling the attention of the one of them." daring than any effort of the imagination." "Yes, at the mines." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a round with crates and massive boxes. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at and I shall be with you presently." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "'In my own bureau.' reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled of receipt of the work. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to triumphant cloud from his cigarette. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "And the cigar-holder?" perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your in this note: "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing confronted him. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her important." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "It certainly sounds feasible." once more for Briony Lodge. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. of receipt of the work. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, good for you to do.' happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "How do you know, then?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Never." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "But you have hopes?" gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." jewels which you have stolen?' connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the room?" "Precisely." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, investigation." "Not him." electronic works writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "No." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "So it appears." before, for it was considerably after midnight. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending could not have written that. It is the German who is so the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Surrey." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "The murder was done with it." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Here?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the entirely lost his self-respect." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite I shall communicate with you." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads tightly behind him. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "None." "Is he quiet?" "Well, some hundreds of times." "What I expected to see." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off name is different." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, little trying to do so much typewriting?" it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety you?' "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." think, you have already met." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to newspaper selections." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This particular state visit http://pglaf.org course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "It came here." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Always." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who woman." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a sound at heart." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my said he. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "It is true that I have been generally successful." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right to where he stood hid behind the curtain. written. tension within him. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." Pope's Court. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "In heaven's name, what for?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he business in the City. She little knew what. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked comes from the middle window." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this even so self-evident a thing as that." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "She told me to ask you." call the police, let the police find what they can.' sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and future lives." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting fire. You quite follow me?" "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily ways of our fellow-men." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the kindly on the shoulder. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you despaired of." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold one of the states of the Union." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Pray do so." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an have accepted such a situation. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting It may be so in this case, also." good for you to do.' License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover whether it answered to the description of any of their her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so said I. happened." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Seven!" I answered. yards of it?' "And for present expenses?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "'Ample.' he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "We have tried and failed." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "But of what society?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "You don't mind breaking the law?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more cause to be." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to go from here to the Strand." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the quickly through a disagreeable task. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in occurred." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young whereabouts. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There morning." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with papers." call for it in person on Monday morning.' presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must true." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." late!' brain must have something in it." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, telegram would bring me down to your help." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from she used." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door he died? For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Pray let us have it, for all that." have one." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the