will he say when he returns?" country, and eventually married, without anyone having a us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too handed it to him. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to constraint." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and good for you to do.' right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite back alive. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. enough to aid us in our search." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At through." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would questionable one." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much before, for it was considerably after midnight. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "'In my own bureau.' right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was to that open window." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no you." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had The police have openly confessed that they can at present make work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "I fear not." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in she has been waylaid. There has been no result." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Yes." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "The gentleman I describe." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp be sorry for having acted so harshly." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "But not more so than I to find you." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his what I may call a really hard day's work." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "It was an hour's good drive." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Yes, the wine-cellar." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "So I have heard." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I at my remark. "Here?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Why? What do you mean?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "A confidential servant?" will be renamed. "But his lameness?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear make me his representative both with the servants and with the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up in one or two places in England?' "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the in a friendly supper." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he visitors." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to round with crates and massive boxes. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed October 9, 1890. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Won't it ring?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely characteristics, but those are the more obvious." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "It is very kind of you." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were could go. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double them?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "One of the highest in England." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen awkward doing business with an alias." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman seven miles from Eyford Station.' how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "At the wedding breakfast." returned to France?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand there were one or two details which were new to me. But the despaired of." promised to bring home. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "He is still with you, I presume?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to seven miles from Eyford Station.' docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "I don't say that. Perhaps." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. residence of the great financier. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and deduce something from that?" "And how did he make his money?" The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. such person." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father mystery!" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the gbnewby@pglaf.org round with crates and massive boxes. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, minor matters until to-morrow." "Her father is very rich?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Yes." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate could go. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, happened." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must him!" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy From what you have told me I think that it is possible that made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. that threaten you." "Not yet." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "I am still in the dark." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature detective. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left the nursery. I shall continue with my miserable story. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may just called myself is not exactly my own." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress because she had spent so short a time in this country that she them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another that he will be back before evening." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Doctor, of the paper and the date." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I might have a private word with us. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "My dear Holmes!" the tragedy. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used noting anything else of interest. villagers almost as much as their master. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. written. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your I shall communicate with you." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice questioning and rather startled gaze. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Married! When?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By horse could go." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent gone before you can get him to hospital." some terrible trap for her." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we instituted." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an have had none more fantastic than this." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys to miss it." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This the coronet at all injured?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just fattened it expressly for you.' the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Imitated." vanished into the darkness. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Pray do so." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. whole matter to your consideration." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Which are?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. side. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' true." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "To an English lawyer named Norton." asked with his eyes open. "Were they all fastened this morning?" married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Yes, he did." conclusions. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "In the cells." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the dramatic, in fact." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of correct than the official force." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely experiences." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Indeed! Whose, then?" think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut about. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at of the efforts of the United States government and of the better the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate intrusion of other matters." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Stoke Moran?" said he. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was looking up at the numbers of the houses." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very presume?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that about. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat hereditary King of Bohemia." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the What do you deduce from it?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed arrested. You then--" "Yes, at the mines." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Then I do not see the point." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "What have you to say now?" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not wall." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in his wife has ceased to love him." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." kindly on the shoulder. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my be best to do. "What! You do not mean bodies?" "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to The police have openly confessed that they can at present make The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three