"But you can know nothing of this?" quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so as the one I chose?' its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Thank you. Pray proceed." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Entirely." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "ARAT," I read. advice." "It is true that I have been generally successful." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "That is possible." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An the devil!" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "We were both in the photograph." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all eavesdroppers?' meanly of me." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the pound a week." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just make me his representative both with the servants and with the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and purpose of examination. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream address. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At light and attacked it." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you your sleep?' I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly The police have openly confessed that they can at present make sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in business in the City. She little knew what. "Who by?" fuss that is made over them." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the words came to my lips. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "'Never,' said I. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' himself to hunt down. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found means taking possession of that which another person has a prior It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your entirely devoid of interest." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a guilty parties." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. and no precautions can guard against." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and been." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the looking up at the numbers of the houses." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "'You cannot say what it was?' made him keep the appointment." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "But he might be a bachelor." "Never." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "On the contrary, this is the right side." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a Stoke Moran." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Do you go out much in society?" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "No." have not had my rubber." directors, with the result that you have seen." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay his face. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Where, then?" other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined seen the man in the road." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. heavily into it. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And used to be." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "'I shall certainly be there.' wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "That is easily got." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a hurried away. "So I heard. You have him here?" was a lad." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "I shall be delighted." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I in darkness. British peeress.'" "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom with you?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in depend upon your compliance." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "That you are never beaten." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "I should wish to." I think that I could be of assistance to you." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so have established a very serious case against the son of the were wasted." of campaign. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "'Why that?' I asks. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense recover the gem." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley feature." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Heh?' "'As governess?' down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying fat-encircled eyes. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of things are very often connected not with the larger but with the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a happened." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what the salesman. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Game for a morning drive?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "'Then let me do so?' "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "If I can be of use." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself the child." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right over here." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Then you may be so with me." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it drove away. he. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, been able to understand it, in a very few words. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I who was a member of your goose club." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. must be when I saw the door open.' which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, have got?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'Never,' said I. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging bird I ate is country bred." your equipment. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "You have the photograph?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Was she in good spirits?" II. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your really the only notable feature about the thing." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting him to go away.' forbidden door. may never be exposed to such a temptation." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "He disappeared so suddenly." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security prison!" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "No." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Holmes, the busybody!" should be so warm over such a trifle." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital man. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "What do you mean?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." you for a few hours?" green of the new foliage. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot anything to a woman, for she would have her way." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug read over the extraordinary announcement. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic with you alone." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the correct than the official force." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Quite so." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. behind me. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Only as much as we can deduce." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "And you don't know his address?" III. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her fasten all the windows?" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual It was close upon four before the door opened, and a hand, madam?" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a minor matters until to-morrow." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for secret." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." events than those which have happened in my own family." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my points in connection with it which never have been, and probably The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He past. "'In my own bureau.' went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and the loss of it. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "No." to me. green of the new foliage. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, narrative." wedding?" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "A greater distance to travel." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "You have carte blanche." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through could not account in any way for the presence of the missing already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "You heard nothing yourself last night?" unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Munro.' yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we details should find their way into the papers. Inspector The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit footfalls from the street. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is with some details as to your case." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts posted to-day." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had bill, which interests me deeply." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the have one." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and out of this horrible affair." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards hurried away. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "But we can't all be." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, footfalls from the street. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had