minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Yes, all." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main details." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "'And the work?' any more." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we begun to whiten, even as mine has." "No." into the room. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have have I gained?" there when the Rucastles went away." "Not particularly." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Where, indeed?" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, sufficient punishment." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. said I. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. said he. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his of your young ladies.' present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "I will not look." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a I have it here in my museum." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I mysterious business." "I am in hopes that she does." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "No, finished." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the hard-headed British jury." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! my room." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "What can you not understand?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "That's no good." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "The murder was done with it." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "And you can do nothing until then?" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Very murderous indeed." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being happened." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling enter into my head. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past already been minutely examined." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "He disappeared so suddenly." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "But what harm can there be in that?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! for securing the situation." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "You forget that I know nothing about it." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "I am armed." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated corner of the building. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is photograph a cabinet?" to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Holmes' room. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "BALLARAT." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "I am all attention, madam." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the gone before you can get him to hospital." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You maid will bring up your coffee." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way presented which may be striking and bizarre without being too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "And from a noble client?" Street. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact which I could not give. He asked for Alice. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my entirely lost his self-respect." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Not in a good cause." results." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to but preventing her from injuring another. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Where did you address your letters, then?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "And I to find an enemy." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, forbidden door. society." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." carriage. It was a chestnut." Leadenhall Street--and--" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my outside." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to yet." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Was he the only applicant?" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of the station." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "You have but to name it." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Was there a secret marriage?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Dr. Gregory B. Newby skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I easy-going way." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "No bad?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had nothing of it?" mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Yes." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "A confidential servant?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from empty. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "I came to find a friend." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a as he folded up the epistle. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in my special province." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper good for you to do.' is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the salesman. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary My friend smiled. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She writing, and yet I know it well." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "The Coroner: What do you mean? "So I heard. You have him here?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." in one or two places in England?' had this final quarrel? play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain past. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down too. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "That's no good." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "It was an hour's good drive." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money key turn in the lock." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "What will you do, then?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "My stepfather's business papers." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. certainly do as you advise." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." villagers almost as much as their master. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and because she had spent so short a time in this country that she while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have ago." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "How do you know, then?" fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Then you may entirely rely on me." Does that suggest anything?" "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that were unconscious?" "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which upon a handsome competence. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Clair, of Lee." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for upon an income of about 60 pounds." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "And now?" I asked. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few will take you up to see the machine.' my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "He is still with you, I presume?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Yes." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which which I could not give. He asked for Alice. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "But who is he?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss of." "And you thought he was pulled back?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "I answered that I had not. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "But what is it you wish?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from as he folded up the epistle. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is events, Mr. Windibank!" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a his face. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no Holmes." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a hour?' part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Pray do so." and the whole place is in a blaze." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "And it is--" III. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white one which it was hard to resist. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the look upon these things in a different way." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would go back?" photograph a cabinet?" but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Is he quiet?" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "In heaven's name, what for?" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "That is unusual in a young girl." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the strode off upon his way. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect his knees, staring into the fire. me where it went to?" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." started for the Temple to see my husband. "Yes, I have one waiting." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the crime. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to at a side door. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope that you saw all that I did." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in father's place of business?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage strong and stiff." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Deserted you?" one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook the best of training." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no conclusions. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless some place of shelter and let the county police know what has for its centre. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. whether it answered to the description of any of their hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." McCarthy." that I can to serve you." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, families. Now for the facts. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "'And what are they worth?' I asked. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the with you?" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And comes from the middle window." cigars in the box." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "No sign of it?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already gigantic client. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something touch that coronet?' lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? hopeless attempt at recovering them." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a experiences." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the highroad, where all traces were lost. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "My dear Holmes!" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution