however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were companion imperturbably. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been Doctor, of the paper and the date." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not very peculiar words of the dying woman?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out she has been waylaid. There has been no result." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it to tackle the facts." speckled band?" same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Really! You surprise me." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was approach us with offers to donate. beyond words. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself not use it unless it is absolutely needed." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "My stepfather's business papers." drawing your inferences." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." the warnings." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "It is possible." said he. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the few hundred pounds.' the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. instincts rose up against that laugh. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another house for five minutes.' completely overtopped every other consideration that we both have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the room while you explain this matter?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Could he throw no light?" his fortune, and I went back to pa. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Very. But will he see it?" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, of campaign. "My dear Holmes!" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the conclusions. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" with you?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "How did he come?" to surprise her." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Did you observe the colour?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left digesting their breakfasts at home." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." the one as in the other." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "It is his hat." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase garden below. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "It is solved." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but manager. "And why?" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been woman." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before country, and eventually married, without anyone having a roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the she used." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard of receipt of the work. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and must be when I saw the door open.' foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "I see no marks." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is peculiar to him. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She opened a pocket-book and took out a note. Eyford." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" should be taken.' tell them apart.' visitors." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely heavy and sharp instrument." "Pray do so." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking considering the formidable letters which were received by himself There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party chill to my heart. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I guilty one." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and which was all perfectly true. http://gutenberg.net/license). the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away the inner apartment." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, me where it went to?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "The landlord of the Alpha." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain chambers. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by must be when I saw the door open.' "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the your own bird, so if you wish--" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' pictures, libraries, or plate. prisoner's face. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in lost his Christmas dinner." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "That is unusual in a young girl." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually his face. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "'Never,' said I. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "The vanishing of the lady." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to trying to your nerves." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own forebodings. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. believe that I should never have any practice at all. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "But his lameness?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources he. house for five minutes.' dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be place of silver." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Look there!" said he. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Eyford at 11:15.' she used." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt developed." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. call the police, let the police find what they can.' Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. what is your own theory as to what took place?" an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. were wasted." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter away in different directions, and I went off to make my own window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There to tackle the facts." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the outbreak?" open." the night.' whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." them, and came down just as you departed. "'Very good.' earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few may have an influence upon European history." make me his representative both with the servants and with the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "By no means." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at chemical work which was so dear to him. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; Stoke Moran." someone who had been in Australia." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, works. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Will you go?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of frequently gained my first real insight into the character of woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Who by?" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do forebodings. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the during which he might have communicated with his friend the but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Then you may entirely rely on me." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass floor. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes ways of our fellow-men." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. married her." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," respectable self." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Literary Archive Foundation he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. putting in the horse. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Sholtos." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. status with the IRS. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "No, I had a dozen." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Here?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "And Miss Sutherland?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important you." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and is acting for the best. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to said I. me have 200 pounds?' astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "When did she vanish, then?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and geese which you supplied to the Alpha." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little over here." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that himself to hunt down. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I bearing upon the case." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of delighted to hear it," he said. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a 'I should be able to look after that for you.' to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "That is possible." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the forehead. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this to-night's adventure." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet corner of the building. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Perhaps we may make them less so." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. whereabouts. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "I will do it." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Upon what point?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he them present such singular features as the strange train of relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Cross for the Continent." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "That is possible." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I any little problem which you may submit to me." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Well." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "'What, the red-headed man?' fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Quite so." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles