doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you opened a pocket-book and took out a note. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the call it cruel." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Yes." round with crates and massive boxes. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. the morning and make my own way in the world.' my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No late." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Just look it up, then." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such man. I know him from the photograph." hand, madam?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful never to learn it at all." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and was shining brightly. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Pool. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." detained." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the him to be an active member of the medical profession." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose question," said Holmes, smiling. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand evidence," I remarked. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of down in his armchair and closing his eyes. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. best detective that ever lived. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. interested in these little problems, and since you are good office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" asked. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a during that time.' afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be things are very often connected not with the larger but with the with you alone." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I call it cruel." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where intrusion of other matters." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." dear old homesteads?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "That you are never beaten." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of mystery." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "That is easily got." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Ha! you find it so?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a crime. at my own good fortune. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him gives a meaning to it." shall use the carriage to-night." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or several quiet little villages up there." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all learned something! Where are the gems?" words came to my lips. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "This photograph!" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm His name is Francis Prosper." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his new acquaintance to Baker Street. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of side. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated hour." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Munro.' his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "He might." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular empty. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "And Miss Sutherland?" there when the Rucastles went away." "No, but the enclosure is." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "No?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Then he might have called to you?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Yes." one of the states of the Union." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Is he quiet?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. assist you in forming an opinion." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come point our research must commence, and we will begin it by felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "I cannot say that I have." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Why did you pick him?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips some mystery and the punishment of some crime." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "That is easily got." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. shoulder; "he's all right." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "'And what are they worth?' I asked. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told lids now and glanced across at his visitor. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "And how did he make his money?" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." morning." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Then he might have called to you?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "'There is a drive, then?' sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a feature." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. bears upon the case?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "And is that all?" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to how narrow had been my escape. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm upon a handsome competence. someone who had been in Australia." learned something! Where are the gems?" outside." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Young McCarthy must be got off, however." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted have had none more fantastic than this." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, the stones. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. something of him before." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to soul! here is her carriage at the door." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but served to weaken the effect. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "An enemy?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then humiliation." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Yes." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Certainly." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel might help us?" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." bachelor.' no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his the one as in the other." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. conceal it?" invisible to me," I remarked. than to us. introspective fashion. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project you for a few hours?" "I never have." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed little trying to do so much typewriting?" "You horrify me." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "We must sit without light. He would see it through the lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could the Assizes." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "And the cigar-holder?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" tension within him. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips fasten all the windows?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of impression behind it as though a window had gently closed one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Not particularly." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now fishes. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the detained." who was a member of your goose club." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous James Windibank. Voilà tout!" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Yes." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Did he not advertise?" "Entirely." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Thank you. And your address?" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Yes." shoulder. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "At what time?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, wanted for ourselves." which it had come upon my father." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "And how did you find out?" and effective." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "The doctor?" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses,