"Why, it's a dummy," said he. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The despair." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. papers." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Serpentine Avenue. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. conclusions. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at prisoner's face. walking." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of question," said Holmes, smiling. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down grasp, he hurried from the room. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Certainly." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "In answer to an advertisement." a little more before I quite committed myself. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend my room." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." views." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the then?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. upon the sideboard." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can some terrible trap for her." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should should be so warm over such a trifle." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "His face fell immediately. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "What then?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. the King without delay." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "'As governess?' chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "It may not come to that," said Holmes. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room unprecedented a position." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from him. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and rose-bushes. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "No bad?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "No, finished." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "You are certainly joking, Holmes." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." article?" "Yes." long narrative. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." confronted him. "And Miss Sutherland?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think anything to a woman, for she would have her way." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "I say that I have solved it." "None." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. face and glided from the room. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "And Irene Adler?" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "It is very clear." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the companion quietly. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there manager. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "And I say east," said my patient. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, during that time.' "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning enter into my head. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long that I am arrested." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old was already answered. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "You have but to name it." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "What will you do, then?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to foresight and the moral retrogression?" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just gone. sneer upon his pale face. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "That is unusual in a young girl." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. to-night?' while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small sentimental considerations in the background which would induce frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "You horrify me!" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "You think so, too?" from the brougham. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark held up the lantern and gazed about him. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Literary Archive Foundation "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she only touch the interest." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the His smile broadened. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that vanished into the darkness. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" own family. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an The note was undated, and without either signature or address. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend go back?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me is worth.' diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. away to you." was not a bird to be seen there. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Witness: Nothing definite. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that persecution?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Of what day?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. me what he had done with the three missing stones. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "No." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "And why?" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not it." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "By all means." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Why serious?" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear and glanced through. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, there." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment your co-operation." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Very. But will he see it?" how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "You saw the ventilator, too?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what directors have had misgivings upon the subject." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I them present such singular features as the strange train of in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you walking." "It is his hat." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her better in every way that they should make their position a little vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from you." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled interests were the same as his." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his cigars in their mouths. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who said he. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of strength in the others." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head your equipment. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, business." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Yes, it would be as well." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "I am about to be married." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I sound at heart." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards trying to your nerves." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Was your sister dressed?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not fluttered off among the others. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become pity, because in other respects you would really have done very The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear helping a boy to put up the shutters. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Not I." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! derbies." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Very good.' hard-headed British jury." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the second window is the one that I jumped from." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "And the cigar-holder?" that you saw all that I did." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I respectable self." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my of his shoulders. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "What I expected to see." "What! Had he lost his wife?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some tail." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are invisible to me," I remarked. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Then I can wait in the next room." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and tail." some city in a dream. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to again, where I was soon asleep. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Does that suggest anything?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as business." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. breakfast?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" stepfather?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I digesting their breakfasts at home." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my intrusion of other matters." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Not yet." all?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple ill-usage at the hands of fortune. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "No. What a strange idea!" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I hereditary King of Bohemia." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the I leave." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Yes, sir." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," one of them." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It any more." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a his huge brown hands. the side-table." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. looking up at the numbers of the houses." third from London." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me of fine shops and stately business premises that they really once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Yes." will he say when he returns?" "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and not use it unless it is absolutely needed." married her." Have you good authority for what you say?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "About a month then." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account