"Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "By no means." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather people don't know." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "It looks newer than the other things?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "I will do it." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite call you and give you the chance." crackling voice. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless the so-precious time, but come!' it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all questioning and rather startled gaze. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to there." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a signal between you and your father? morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was investigation." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there The King stared at him in amazement. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Entirely." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and again on its way. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes results." "A client, then?" "'Ten to two.' belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the window when the police appeared." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my meanly of me." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the will take you up to see the machine.' Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside my secret was safe in his possession. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at south, for the country is more deserted there." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. and that he would see to anything that turned up. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my and wait." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was side. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." fluttered off among the others. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right The King stared at him in amazement. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "In which, sir?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my depend upon your compliance." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it unkempt, staring out at me. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did went to the Alpha were town bred." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those again on its way. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. in the hope of finding them." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest feature." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father the nursery. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you morning." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should I took the paper from him and read as follows: a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to digesting their breakfasts at home." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which placed his cuttings. have had none more fantastic than this." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "That you are never beaten." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, few hundred pounds.' to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a humiliation." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking in darkness. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were I shall communicate with you." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can and put his glass in his pocket. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." orange pips. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "'Which dealer's?' derbies." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Pray tell us what has happened to you." next day. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were burst into a hearty fit of laughter. said he. "And help." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in awkward doing business with an alias." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Absolutely none." it." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to that I may have something better before very many minutes are to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "That is it on the dressing-table." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start upon a handsome competence. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Just look it up, then." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the the bed, and you in that chair." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "No, I had a dozen." them?" "Entirely." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you business came to an end." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass strode off upon his way. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether young Openshaw's." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" have I gained?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to round with crates and massive boxes. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves fish-monger and a tide-waiter." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon business?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, to have that photograph." front of me. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." enough to aid us in our search." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns instincts rose up against that laugh. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of taking in every detail of the apartment. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to at home. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Yes, he did." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending other means.' of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me information in his hands the value of which he did not himself consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he redistribution. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Yesterday." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most direction." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine best detective that ever lived. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and when you have done it." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." that he will be back before evening." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Clair, of Lee." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Who by?" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the closely." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "I would pay ten." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied to his chemical studies. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "What have you done?" asked Holmes. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Young McCarthy must be got off, however." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "But what will you do?" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the in a very precise fashion." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, him and tried to hold him back. "Your presence might be invaluable." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." brandy and water within his reach. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which him to be an active member of the medical profession." points to suicide?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could them?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Where, indeed?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of know what is wrong with it.' empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "One?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Then I am your man." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but in one or two places in England?' Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "No legal papers or certificates?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. What do you deduce from it?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" together. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "But I am all in the dark." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from in the hope of finding them." despair." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure way in everything. "And what then?" "Yes." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be been lifted and conveyed somewhere." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Deserted you?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "And I to find an enemy." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips thin legs towards the fire. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a third from London." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, key of the affair now." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the do.' suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "To an English lawyer named Norton." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee to have that photograph." cigars in their mouths. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Not him." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have your only hope of safety." ago." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Yes." "Entirely." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of remarked. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. will he say when he returns?" About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, sufficient punishment." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Of Friday, June 19th." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur about. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried o'clock is it?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the mystery may be cleared along those lines." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little photograph?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "'Oh, no.' remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his trying to your nerves." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and lumber-room." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Yes, all." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "But of what society?" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "One of the highest in England." you give your casting vote to?" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. tell him that I know him to be innocent." was a lad."