"It must be recovered." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a correct than the official force." "On your arm?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have pictures, libraries, or plate. "How did that help you?" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Then you may entirely rely on me." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which You can understand that this register and diary may implicate tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Well." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point said I. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and the side-table." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal o'clock is it?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Deserted you?" the Red-headed League." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I became a certainty. unclasping of his long thin hands. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I residence of the great financier. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you colour had been driven from his face. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "It is half-past ten now." mystery!" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the I think that I could be of assistance to you." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. happened." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained when you have done it." mystery may be cleared along those lines." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" of campaign. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our fluttered off among the others. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there views." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Very murderous indeed." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "You horrify me." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous in. do.' to-night?" I asked. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On some city in a dream. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "I do." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers them?" "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. other means.' salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, go--none." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the towards the blaze. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as as this. Pray let me have the details." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might closely." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "But she could not love him." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "I promise," said Holmes. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "What!" he roared. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the was it brought him the coronet? the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how of them has the shutters up.' permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault despaired of." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." he bowed and left the room without another word. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. kind enough to tell me what I should do." will he say when he returns?" at my remark. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "How did you deduce the select?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off carried out of court." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope them?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your shaken than I had ever seen him. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "What can you not understand?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business business came to an end." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker coat-tails." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and shag which I had seen upon the previous night. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations vault. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they my special province." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. obstinate." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that salesman. "Quite so. She has her freedom." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would hurried away. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Married! When?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "I beg pardon." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this present." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A place no limit on the sum I may draw." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in later, upon the night of May 2nd." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in the very letters. But what is this written above them?' extraordinary contortions. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "No more words. Get out!" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would any little problem which you may submit to me." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his most important business. It is probable that he will be away all time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Yesterday." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly see a sister of mine apply for." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to over with notes and figures. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Was the window open?" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls hands. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, she might be summoned. matter." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Entirely." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you business?" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. closing the door. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "But we can't all be." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general residence of the great financier. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot green of the new foliage. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a will take you up to see the machine.' "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can cigars in their mouths. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day before, for it was considerably after midnight. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there My friend smiled. "'You cannot say what it was?' not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so presume?" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "What, then?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." started for the Temple to see my husband. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, this remarkable episode. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "The rest you will leave in our hands." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their hopeless attempt at recovering them." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in you." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "You have the photograph?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "'Why that?' I asks. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and third from London." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Texas, I think." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. round with crates and massive boxes. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to with the outside air!" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black on in his house." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: his face. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" nothing with him." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, what I may call a really hard day's work." that I am arrested." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss throat." "Won't it ring?" floor. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover lamp in his hand. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "No. His orders were to stay in the house." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror which it had come upon my father." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "I saw her in conversation with her maid." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of observed. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed that threaten you." "And why?" the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "At what time?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "I know where it is." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that breakfast?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United went to the Alpha were town bred." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. letters?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when