admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the again on its way. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." lumber-room." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact to arrive at through this?" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a question. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." some water from a caraffe. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who think, you have already met." of Mr. Rucastle's." notes," he said. I shall communicate with you." nonsense.' "One?" compunction about shooting them down." "Then how many are there?" you in your example." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "What! Had he lost his wife?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "But your client--" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and to Leatherhead. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Holmes, the busybody!" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "I say it is." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "She walked into the breakfast-room." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "What will you do, then?" "I don't say that. Perhaps." "'Yes, I promise.' photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and if she died from some sudden fright." "It is true that I have been generally successful." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill to take care of herself." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" question you as to those details which seem to me to be most prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his your co-operation." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain tassel actually lying upon the pillow. your co-operation." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' against a man in the prime of life?" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran learned something! Where are the gems?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the best of training." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "I will not look." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her disappearance of these gems?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But the address that was given us in the advertisement. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "The best possible." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the page at http://pglaf.org to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been could gather together that I was able to avert another public which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My things are very often connected not with the larger but with the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "It is very kind of you." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll weary and pale-looking. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "No." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "I should like to see him very much." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" purpose of examination. and your relations to her." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Yes, it would be as well." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "'A dozen yards or so.' "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project the driver. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "I was mad--insane." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my I held the little printed slip to the light. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "But she will refuse." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the of this gang." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the just ask you whether you had heard it.' upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There arrested. You then--" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. are, and they are waiting for us." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Why did you beat the pavement?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and charge against him will break down." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think politicians who had been sent down from the North. 1.E.9. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "That is it on the dressing-table." II. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal said he. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day my former friend and companion. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy six. Come in!" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose happened." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all writers could invent nothing more crude." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand obstinate." Dr. Gregory B. Newby side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Yes." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted lectures into a series of tales." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. said I. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, The events in question occurred in the early days of my As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little that I can to serve you." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If over with notes and figures. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger that he has suffered." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Yes, he did." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. whereabouts. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, public press." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. feature." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "'Most admirably.' joking. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return the south-west, I see." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought right! Sit down and let us talk it over." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the fact, we may call it conclusive." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled of the vacancies.' search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the to some other building. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, read over the extraordinary announcement. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to careless servant girl?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "And why?" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "BALLARAT." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic even of instruction." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" to change my dress. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Your sister is dead, then?" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with learned something! Where are the gems?" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "And you can do nothing until then?" considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one approach us with offers to donate. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Have you it here?" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the future lives." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were know what is wrong with it.' lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a knowledge of the world." than was visible to me." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending at my remark. chance at all." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the handed it to him. the little opening for the ventilator is." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return him!" "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the than to us. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then at a side door. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Yes?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" prison!" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the hurried by. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He him and tried to hold him back. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "And leave your case unfinished?" who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will throat." province." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "And what then?" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in upon a handsome competence. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "'Ten to two.' prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "What then?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Yes." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, of Mr. Rucastle's." better grown goose." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. business." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I bled considerably." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in with some details as to your case." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Dirty?" "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was and inquire as to the address." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, made his money." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have happened." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the at once, for I have only half an hour." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away knowledge of the world." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "'A dozen yards or so.' that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to matter." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "That is not always so easy." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "But you were on a friendly footing?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE enter Dr. Roylott's room." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "So I have heard." both be extremely obliged.' work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Project Gutenberg-tm works. such person." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a to have that photograph." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "But what will you do?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Can I be of assistance?" "Perfectly so." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came was a perfect sample of the class. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house sufficient punishment." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my points to suicide?" "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: were new raised from a basin. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. strength." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Ten will be early enough." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, mysterious business." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent that threaten you." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was very morning of my second wedding." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" introspective fashion. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we you came in." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are them, and came down just as you departed. "I will do it." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Then you may entirely rely on me." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one