Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at soul! here is her carriage at the door." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew would then never go into court at all." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt and the colonel ushered me in. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. will take you up to see the machine.' dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." late." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, ready to-morrow?' over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was *** START: FULL LICENSE *** have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "In heaven's name, what for?" "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers you came in." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with there in twenty minutes." drove away. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Just look it up, then." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I point in the dark hollow of his hand. closing the door. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! you do it in twenty minutes!' fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "What office?" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. detective. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. his cane at the bell-pull. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal your Highness to the police-station?" It may be so in this case, also." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a of his shoulders. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able colour had been driven from his face. be. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "But it has twice been burgled." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Why? What do you mean?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "When did she vanish, then?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so occurred." green of the new foliage. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Holmes." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much points to suicide?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat what these perils are?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave exactly what you advise." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. he bowed and left the room without another word. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all and the colonel ushered me in. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have you, my dear young lady?' "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered 'I should be able to look after that for you.' lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Have you it here?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with to some other building. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "How about poison?" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: works. See paragraph 1.E below. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no bore every mark of being an average commonplace British right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," visitors." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to our word." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "I cannot say that I have." evidence," I remarked. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "No, I am descending." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might and a shock of very red hair. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the Street. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is again on its way. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "He might." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She the so-precious time, but come!' his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "I should wish to." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. You want to know what became of those geese?" down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George never will be, entirely cleared up. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "I cannot tell." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "What office?" "Of what?" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been himself to hunt down. "From his hat?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "So I have heard." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, the date of his supposed suicide." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was any more." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, gbnewby@pglaf.org hour?' offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. it with his own hands." hurried by. lost his Christmas dinner." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them back into the street. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in husband's writing, madam." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "'Yes, sir.' Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on heavy and sharp instrument." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, His name is Francis Prosper." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, purpose equally well?" "'Never.' shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "And the murderer?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "No." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "'As governess?' works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg thought that she would have been so carried away." Edgeware Road. said he. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up with her." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "'I have already given you my word.' knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Now, then, what's the last entry?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Yes." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "VIOLET HUNTER." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the long narrative. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. strong and stiff." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "'Yes, sir.' which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" upon an income of about 60 pounds." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of or other trace. But how on earth--" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the such attractions and accomplishments?' prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had careless servant girl?" a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Pray do so." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "What then?" handed it to him. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I DISSOLVED. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "You have it, sir, just as it happened." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor bedroom door." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in pictures, libraries, or plate. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Well, it is a possible supposition." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Where to?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of following enigmatical notices: crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its have been better. It is all right." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Stoke Moran." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the the matter." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is companion imperturbably. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor asked. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "I don't believe it." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Frequently." get the tickets." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a that before taking the final step I should like to submit the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "But you have hopes?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "'Tell me all about it,' said I. wedding?" wedding?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "He slept on the premises." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Always." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' this poor creature." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "I will not look." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "I see many objections to any such theory." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Come in!" said he. sneer upon his pale face. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my some water from a caraffe. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "It is very kind of you." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "And you don't know his address?" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took direction." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Stolen." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Not in the least." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was and wait." the coroner come to?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the inner apartment." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Could he throw no light?" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is