opened the door, and slipped through. "But his lameness?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales question. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Never." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. wanted for ourselves." "But his left-handedness." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should out of this horrible affair." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Which are?" in my life." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "What do you mean?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "'Ten to two.' "About a month then." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "I am armed." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." sound at heart." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "That is also quite modern," said the lady. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was possible that we could bring him back to her? that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining his forehead." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs I think that I could be of assistance to you." matter." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding him, that man would not have given me such complete information beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, help us in this matter." in the port of London." "What steps will you take?" I asked. you, my dear young lady?' business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but tell him that I know him to be innocent." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "In what way?" asked Holmes. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "No, my brougham is waiting." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows matter." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Entirely." undoubtedly my uncle's." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a pressing in one house as in another. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "But how?" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before is now desirous of getting those letters back." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "What then?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope question you as to those details which seem to me to be most minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have beyond words. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Then you may be so with me." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." I am not easy in my mind about them." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Married! When?" "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes it." have established a very serious case against the son of the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. families. Now for the facts. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say was a loud and authoritative tap. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was telegram would bring me down to your help." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have is a common subject for conversation. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "He slept on the premises." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "You have a clue?" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." out of this horrible affair." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. carriage. It was a chestnut." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, when your master had gone out." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "How did you trace it, then?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "And on what day did he meet his death?" matter." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little envelope. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "But his lameness?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "How did that help you?" up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Then I can wait in the next room." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and to-night." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet cheerful." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Very. But will he see it?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "I was afraid that you were engaged." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "In heaven's name, what for?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years away to you." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Oh, fresh and glossy." photograph?" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes strode off upon his way. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "But your client--" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point not interfere, come what may. You understand?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet unkempt, staring out at me. be. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was giving me time to thank him. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "If I can be of use." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer views." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "But you were on a friendly footing?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "'And the work?' to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I weapon." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy had no one to advise her at such a crisis." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "What! Had he lost his wife?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Yes, the wine-cellar." one which it was hard to resist. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress giving me time to thank him. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one this truth that in these little records of our cases which you congenial hunt. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap your troubles." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and to tell." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Only as much as we can deduce." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" strong and stiff." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said leaning back in his chair. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built yourselves in at night?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of chamber." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a place of silver." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke himself to tell his story. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting acted in my house last night?" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "The Coroner: What do you mean? reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I highly," said Holmes. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a been shamefully used." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' figure." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "It certainly sounds feasible." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide as noiselessly as she had come. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to chair. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" maid will bring up your coffee." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into to have that photograph." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Eh? What was that?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "No." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my weapon." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently other, as fresh and trim as possible. "'And what salary do you ask?' which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when there were so many in the whole country as were brought together you want, then?' "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened the tragedy. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had notes," he said. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had child?' husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and might help us?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my know what is wrong with it.' "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Stolen, then." strength in the others." "That is not always so easy." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally wall." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and woman." shoulder; "he's all right." business." sneer upon his pale face. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Her father is very rich?" opened a pocket-book and took out a note. breakfast?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Sholtos."