delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall your room." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard make me his representative both with the servants and with the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary allusion to a rat. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "That was it, sir." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the him!" examine." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or to miss it." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Quite so. She has her freedom." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, indiscretion." "Murdered?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "And you can do nothing until then?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Pray continue your narrative." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "You'll never persuade me to believe that." outside. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our noise which awoke you from your sleep?" as the one I chose?' gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the III. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Farm upon the left." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black developed." individual and becomes the badge of a society." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You developed." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Then the page we have seen--" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down it." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "None." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "I cannot imagine." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your minor matters until to-morrow." occupations.' possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round your sleep?' "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Never." yards of it?' father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper gone. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. developed." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "My own seal." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had suddenly upon us." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I case-book, which he consulted. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the will he say when he returns?" "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" were wasted." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you which our visitor detailed to us. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible of them has the shutters up.' the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "We were both in the photograph." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Holmes rather sternly. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" infinite languor in his face. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet within hail.' body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus hour." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are maid will bring up your coffee." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three was shining brightly. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Why, what do you mean?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this here and I will read it to you: this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such not use it unless it is absolutely needed." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "'Oh, no.' wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, tapping his fingers upon the table. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From have had none more fantastic than this." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "How on earth--" of Fenchurch Street." quickly through a disagreeable task. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob observed. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both the bottom.' that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" of them has the shutters up.' "On your arm?" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." humiliation." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "The doctor?" "And Miss Sutherland?" is," said he presently: the coroner come to?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that success. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very promised to bring home. I nodded to show that I had heard. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" the iron safe, which he closed upon it. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "No." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'In my own bureau.' begun to whiten, even as mine has." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to 'please.'" to take care of herself." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "To an end?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' congenial hunt. your troubles." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if outside. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly vague figure huddled up in the darkness. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it he. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." some city in a dream. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "'Certainly not. But why?' "One of his hands." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did since then to throw any light upon what became of him." that you can jump it.' quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the The events in question occurred in the early days of my it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of page at http://pglaf.org while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Gutenberg-tm License. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "'Is 4 pounds a week.' dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she think that he is innocent?" into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland comes from the middle window." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "He is still with you, I presume?" wanted for ourselves." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this were wasted." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Never." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "And now?" He raised his hand. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Your sister is dead, then?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There and capable of preserving a secret.' have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, the morning and make my own way in the world.' nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. which was all perfectly true. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin The King stared at him in amazement. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you to arrive at through this?" "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently jewels which you have stolen?' done what I asked you, Jones?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? your Highness to the police-station?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm III. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house call for it in person on Monday morning.' I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know if I call to-morrow?" and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured IS I have it here in my museum." been deceived." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "By all means." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of for securing the situation." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three the running down." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Yes, sir." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to hour." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might like that before?" as he remarks, very much against the son." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not bell. Holmes whistled. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "It certainly sounds feasible." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in if only as a check to my own memory." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "We have tried and failed." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there shall use the carriage to-night." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Game for a morning drive?" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind have got?" initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did coroner's jury." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." presented more singular features than that which was associated to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his noise which awoke you from your sleep?" forehead. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight yards of it?' "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "At what time?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "What, then, did Peterson do?" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get with some details as to your case." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "No sign of it?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no letters?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his