to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous the bed, and you in that chair." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I which was all perfectly true. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "'Ample.' behind me. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the less than 26s. 4d. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Ah!" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "And how?" "Absolutely none." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Yes, certainly." wedding?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "What will you say?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Proceed, then." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the this poor creature." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My the Friday. Was it to be in church?" invisible to me," I remarked. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook the salesman. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had fuss that is made over them." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" unkempt, staring out at me. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between room?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. there!' adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you that he has suffered." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "He is dead," cried several voices. call the police, let the police find what they can.' drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "My Mary? Impossible!" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Here?" hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. papers." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Well, some hundreds of times." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly opened a pocket-book and took out a note. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of that there was nothing in it, after all." there." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "'Then let me do so?' "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "And how did he make his money?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. thin legs towards the fire. advice." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "And I." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was client, rising. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to jewels which you have stolen?' he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the eavesdroppers?' conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and room had already been engaged for us. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King arrested. You then--" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that walking." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend never came back." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "I am following you closely," I answered. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the my special province." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be husband's writing, madam." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no was already answered. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "No. His orders were to stay in the house." http://gutenberg.net/license). that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." head. So long, then!" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "'Yes, sir.' business matters.' "She told me to ask you." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Where to?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in at my own good fortune. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very following enigmatical notices: "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and felt the room to be a little close.' you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for business came to an end." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "You have compromised yourself seriously." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Eyford at 11:15.' him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and tear off another piece?' waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for without a word or a look. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and http://gutenberg.net/license). "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a future lives." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss are, and they are waiting for us." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush least a fellow-countryman. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the stepfather?" 1.F. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's girl said." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have events than those which have happened in my own family." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the ceremony." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never the loss of it. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "That is unusual in a young girl." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "My dear Holmes!" letters?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "And your father? Did you tell him?" of them has the shutters up.' moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. discontent upon his features. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a not within a twentieth part of the market price." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. Sholtos." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed as noiselessly as she had come. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and orange pips. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the upon the white wrist. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in eavesdroppers?' "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" seem to you to be relevant or not." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. records." of Fenchurch Street." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "What do you mean?" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not some place of shelter and let the county police know what has see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "So I am. Very much so." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' photograph?" platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "But not more so than I to find you." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Who by?" paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Married! When?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. morning." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love way in everything. compunction about shooting them down." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "None." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Why did you beat the pavement?" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "It was an hour's good drive." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in and laid it on the table. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the a good hundred miles off by now." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same His name is Francis Prosper." fire. You quite follow me?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Surrey." presume?" "I will get her to show me." bird I ate is country bred." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "My dear Holmes!" one else, I think." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this noise which awoke you from your sleep?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well bears upon the case?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But that you saw all that I did." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord States. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Project Gutenberg-tm works. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "But it has twice been burgled." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "One of the highest in England." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "It missed him, then?" "Not yet." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism