had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "What is it, then--a fire?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "What! You do not mean bodies?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "It certainly sounds feasible." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a miles off. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "'And what are they worth?' I asked. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second envelope. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in and wait." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the not personally threatened." "No, my brougham is waiting." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City until night should bring an explanation. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and this as likely?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I McCarthy's innocence. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was instituted." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day her also." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "What is it, then--a fire?" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether to arrive at through this?" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come DAMAGE. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough way in." spark where all is dark to me." "Can I be of assistance?" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a green of the new foliage. directors, with the result that you have seen." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no will find little credit to be gained out of this case." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, see me here to avoid scandal." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which meant it for the best. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa the inner apartment." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "And I to find an enemy." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change indeed happy." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this of." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" with frightened eyes at his accuser. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I call for protection in the marriage market, for the present about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in had picked up in the wood. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. the best of training." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same had this final quarrel? "Was he the only applicant?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, were wasted." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the we went to search for him, face downward in a little stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Yes, but only for you and me." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been said I. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment fluttered off among the others. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these future lives." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord careless servant girl?" girl said." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were to-night." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. think you a quite exceptional woman." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Yes." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with My friend smiled. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. instincts rose up against that laugh. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Who by?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "At the wedding breakfast." bird of prey. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "And when will you call?" "And it is--" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always keep the flames under. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with it." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve was already answered. disappearance of these gems?" it. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the people in all walks of life. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we For additional contact information: do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." were wasted." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the directors, with the result that you have seen." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that coroner's jury." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Yes, at the mines." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just nonsense.' little adventures." future lives." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. congenial hunt. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "I have seen the police." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and were new raised from a basin. upon a handsome competence. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction papers diligently of late, have you not?" written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been following enigmatical notices: Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the he. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "I was afraid that you were engaged." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot key of the affair now." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "In heaven's name, what for?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." said I. his wife has ceased to love him." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "And is that all?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' sofa. This way, please!" said he. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Breckinridge is his name." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up papers." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he felt?" http://www.gutenberg.net fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor the date of his supposed suicide." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my I shall communicate with you." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a she to prove their authenticity?" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), giving me time to thank him. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I without a word or a look. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the highly," said Holmes. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City like that before?" presume?" window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "She walked into the breakfast-room." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "What can it mean?" I gasped. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "And now?" He raised his hand. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the peculiar to him. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Yes, all." fasten all the windows?" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the been shamefully used." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss flock.' the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal his eyes and forehead. sooner or later she must fall a victim. trifles." "So it appears." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "When did it break out?" brandy and water within his reach. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the hardly wander." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "It surprised me." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Dark enough and sinister enough." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "This concluded the examination of the witness." too. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Yes." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Game for a morning drive?" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I disappearance of these gems?" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "A confidential servant?" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that three fields round his house, and there he would take his himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Never to return." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that outside. face and glided from the room. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring tell them apart.' Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' so far?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I that I am arrested." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than in my life." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. them?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" of campaign. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as relation between them, and what the object of his repeated self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. beyond words. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "I cannot tell." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country