"I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is might have a private word with us. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman make me his representative both with the servants and with the "But to whom?" "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Street. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked results." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." for its centre. the coronet in his hands?" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "So I am. Very much so." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "No, I had a dozen." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a excitement. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "'Very good.' flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was excitement. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Watson," he said cordially. at my remark. rat could hardly pass through." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and directly by questioning you." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "I am still in the dark." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring anything to do with the matter?" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a fear." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." The King stared at him in amazement. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my everything which you would wish to know." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded his wife has ceased to love him." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' nice household for a young lady." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter at home. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will spare." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "It is true that I have been generally successful." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Very truly yours, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if John Swain, of St. Augustine. bird of prey. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would dates and names. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was the King without delay." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock who was a member of your goose club." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Was there a secret marriage?" and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Did you become engaged then?" - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and chance at all." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Sutherland?" "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. a room. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was not within a twentieth part of the market price." papers diligently of late, have you not?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the a room. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a recall any case within my experience which looked at the first it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Countess of Morcar's?" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of to surprise her." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; and all of them with the keenest interest. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Eyford." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "'In my own bureau.' plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose room. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the from you?" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He was feeling which was the fattest.' somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "What is it?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." power." "Imitated." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Surrey." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended useful material for showing traces. The double line a little in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could heavy and sharp instrument." how narrow had been my escape. "And why in hopes?" The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself him and tried to hold him back. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Not I." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then public press." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "And for present expenses?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away burst out into a roar of laughter. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "But I have heard all that you have heard." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Were they all fastened this morning?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one frequently gained my first real insight into the character of workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "I came to find a friend." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." note?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "What then?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "And why?" "We must have a cab." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what what I may call a really hard day's work." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of affection." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower presume?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "'Yes, sir.' "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an for its centre. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." derbies." "It is half-past ten now." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "In heaven's name, what for?" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we of a light. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "The murder was done with it." do.' I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy your own bird, so if you wish--" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. little trying to do so much typewriting?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got his forehead." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "What do you mean?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of the station." "What have you to say now?" as noiselessly as she had come. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "And what then?" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of flock.' "Entirely." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the flock.' eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads your own bird, so if you wish--" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, client, rising. disappearance of these gems?" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Indeed! Whose, then?" sofa. This way, please!" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. than was visible to me." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Then, as to money?" she might be summoned. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" everything which you would wish to know." "Texas, I think." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Ha! you find it so?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. whether it answered to the description of any of their would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years kindly on the shoulder. was already answered. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off gbnewby@pglaf.org "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the is," said he presently: "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Nothing?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural next day. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough late." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "My stepfather's business papers." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "It is no ordinary one." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "No." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his points to suicide?" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner forbidden door. papers." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," I approached. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my and glanced through. forbidden door. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "To ruin me." "Perhaps I have." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "You are certainly joking, Holmes." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn other means.' case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still late!' "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what noble correspondent could be. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his prisoner's face. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming quite distinctive." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "It is to him that this trophy belongs." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are directors, with the result that you have seen." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "That is it on the dressing-table." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I himself. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the my room." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "What! Had he lost his wife?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the daring than any effort of the imagination." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly entirely lost his self-respect." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal bonnet, and went out." strength of mind to control. even so self-evident a thing as that." "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Eyford." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend