Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I made him keep the appointment." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that morning." Watson," he said cordially. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. think, you have already met." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me just ask you whether you had heard it.' "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "'Is purely nominal.' when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. clanging. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "And is that all?" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' meant it for the best. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Certainly, madam." "VIOLET HUNTER." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' returned to France?" to-night?" I asked. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of bachelor.' cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! drove away. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had flock.' silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case the stable lane now." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the place no limit on the sum I may draw." is so. I know all about McCarthy." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were his face. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of unclasping of his long thin hands. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "What have you to say now?" goes." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even pressing in one house as in another. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "'Tell me all about it,' said I. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" to-night?" I asked. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Eyford." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to What do you deduce from it?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, might help us?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out *** START: FULL LICENSE *** Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "It was." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque the coroner come to?" heavily into it. "Whose house is it?" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their the little opening for the ventilator is." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the matter over." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old mystery may be cleared along those lines." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is and it need not interfere very much with one's other Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "No." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' nothing of it?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so passage and a tap at the door. "But he might be a bachelor." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Imitated." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it McCarthy." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. amused." For additional contact information: is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Then you may be so with me." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Yes." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across me upon any point which I do not make clear." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who money should be paid at once.' hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug fat-encircled eyes. tied." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "How did you trace it, then?" was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." careless servant girl?" of Fenchurch Street." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" good-night and bustled off upon her way. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Your sister is dead, then?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, problems help me to do so." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "You have compromised yourself seriously." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up I nodded again. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to question. "Where is it, then?" My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a what is your own theory as to what took place?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was away into the river." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and This is what he says: speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "'Is 4 pounds a week.' hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "I cannot tell." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "In San Francisco, a year ago." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "No more words. Get out!" photograph?" other lovers by making love himself." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Proceed, then." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my it." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" front of me. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing the salesman. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the and have this put in the evening papers." "You don't mind breaking the law?" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any vault. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "It is very kind of you." Farm upon the left." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "I know where it is." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, burst out into a roar of laughter. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Entirely." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful McCarthy's innocence. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his some mystery and the punishment of some crime." instituted." grasp, he hurried from the room. them present such singular features as the strange train of over part of the map. "What do you read?" money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at directors have had misgivings upon the subject." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "'Yes, I promise.' is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "What! a murderous attack?" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "So it appears." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, villagers almost as much as their master. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always not fit the lock." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself room. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "An accident, I presume?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile himself in a perplexing position. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous dates and names. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could looking up at the numbers of the houses." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation sake, don't!" "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." John Swain, of St. Augustine. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "What have you done?" asked Holmes. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "'Where could I find him?' Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the possible that we could bring him back to her? "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed bedroom door." "Very much so." companion. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the started for the Temple to see my husband. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. which are rolled in Rotterdam." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. horse could go." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Never." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical the side-table." less than 26s. 4d. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in was shining brightly. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the King without delay." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Nothing?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "He slept on the premises." writer." crime." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "And from a noble client?" received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, of Fenchurch Street." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing The events in question occurred in the early days of my Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is someone who had been in Australia." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to 'please.'" cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "'In my own bureau.' "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" stammered. of receipt of the work. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue 1.F. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "'Oh, no.' stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Precisely so. But how--" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" and all of them with the keenest interest. mystery may be cleared along those lines." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his you give your casting vote to?" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and thirty. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Yes." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Game for a morning drive?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they pierced for earrings?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots