"I have hopes." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. soul! here is her carriage at the door." "If so, much may have happened between." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Countess of Morcar's?" 1.F. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, was feeling which was the fattest.' more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "And on what day did he meet his death?" the morning and make my own way in the world.' Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds to me. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "That is unusual in a young girl." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "He is dead," cried several voices. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to is so. I know all about McCarthy." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, not use it unless it is absolutely needed." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at persecution?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and him." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Not social, then?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. in his power. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a forebodings. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. unprofitable." politicians who had been sent down from the North. been deceived." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "It surprised me." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Sutherland. "I am all attention, madam." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, important." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest made his money." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Precisely." go from here to the Strand." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and his eyes and forehead. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' unprofitable." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" went to the Alpha were town bred." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he only touch the interest." that he will be back before evening." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "It is possible." "He disappeared so suddenly." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left hereditary King of Bohemia." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged matter." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" me what he had done with the three missing stones. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "How about poison?" come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than fashion which was peculiar to him. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Seven!" I answered. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "How did that help you?" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently will find little credit to be gained out of this case." than to us. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at you in your example." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which of campaign. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding which we had just quitted. Sutherland?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Perhaps we may make them less so." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time 1.F. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "The best possible." quick march!" 11:15.' began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "None." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes should be taken.' outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and advice." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out of the way of danger. him and tried to hold him back. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong than to us. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from any little problem which you may submit to me." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she once more for Briony Lodge. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "'Never.' have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that lost nothing by them." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at in this note: cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed down in his armchair and closing his eyes. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "He said too much." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "And I to find an enemy." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "I am still in the dark." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Of what day?" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there success. "To an end?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Holmes rather sternly. maiden herself was most instructive." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; friend's singular character. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "He is still with you, I presume?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, when you have done it." His name is Francis Prosper." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for outside." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and shaken than I had ever seen him. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is hurried away. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "What!" he roared. me." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some locked. "Yes." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "What is it?" how narrow had been my escape. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "And it is--" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a 1.F. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending handed it to him. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her like gravel from a pit.' The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "What is it?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "A greater distance to travel." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all door?" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Certainly." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" fattened it expressly for you.' introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I this poor creature." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "And I to find an enemy." fashion which was peculiar to him. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "My last client of the sort was a king." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and his huge brown hands. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. until night should bring an explanation. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Were they all fastened this morning?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Bought." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had answered with a sidelong glance. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "How do you know, then?" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "But who is he?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears within hail.' that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" wife's character?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "There are none." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "I am all attention, madam." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three are windows in it, of course?" have an American origin." despaired of." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "'Oh, no.' without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to brain must have something in it." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. pound a week." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Why, it's a dummy," said he. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this new acquaintance to Baker Street. few hundred pounds.' the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the you." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were your room." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." system of imprisonment?" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "You saw the ventilator, too?" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." I. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint speckled band?" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "'Yes, sir.' fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is photograph?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, it." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." golden eyeglasses. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Yes, the wine-cellar." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the your troubles." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had about here speaks of his kindness to him." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door minor matters until to-morrow." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in vanished into the darkness. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I annoyance, but no jest. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as one else, I think." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "He slept on the premises." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "I have seen the police." lamp.