"Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "It is half-past ten now." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "'Yes, I promise.' "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Married! When?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were second." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for my secret was safe in his possession. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "No, I am descending." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the daring than any effort of the imagination." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. the Red-headed League." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he would apply.' noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who few hundred pounds.' again before evening." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "9th. McCauley cleared. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of appeal." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, said he. with the outside air!" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 one of them." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent into the bag, and made for the door. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. other means.' have established a very serious case against the son of the me have 200 pounds?' will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. it." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "The King of Scandinavia." Gutenberg-tm License. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking retorted upon me, and I on you." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features anything to do with the matter?" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "You are hungry," I remarked. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of there when the Rucastles went away." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am was it brought him the coronet? small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Where, then?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Lestrade of Scotland Yard." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "It was a confession," I ejaculated. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have least a most suspicious remark." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "'Yes.' morning." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Yes, from Horsham." "None." "How did you deduce the select?" "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Never." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "It was." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was business in the City. She little knew what. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "To ruin me." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Is he quiet?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "And how in the world did you find them?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and companion quietly. than was visible to me." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "I say that I have solved it." to talk it over. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head be.' "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Nothing?" him. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my side. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, not use it unless it is absolutely needed." confronted him. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "An accident, I presume?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken wedding?" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts man. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't plantation.' "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "No, but the enclosure is." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Two days later this same performance was gone through under things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to done what I asked you, Jones?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take read it out to me." "It is half-past ten now." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner desk. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and awaited us upon the table. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "You have carte blanche." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "To the police?" prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what himself to hunt down. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged the bed, and you in that chair." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then away in different directions, and I went off to make my own slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard a monotonous occupation." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "How can you tell that?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "'Certainly not.' qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative note?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "None." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug brought there to personate someone, and the real person is opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "'I have heard so.' ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin gbnewby@pglaf.org at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to was feeling which was the fattest.' him to be an active member of the medical profession." rose-bushes. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he crime." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "That was it, sir." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "My own seal." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a to talk it over. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he I held the little printed slip to the light. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved villagers almost as much as their master. "Yes, sir." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of the house with me." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." discontent upon his features. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to becomes even more simple." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I suddenly upon us." events, Mr. Windibank!" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that conduct the inquiry." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Not in the least." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in photograph?" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of morning." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend intimate personal affairs in this public manner." forecastle of an emigrant ship. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or in a very precise fashion." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away His smile broadened. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there very old mansion. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Well, it is a possible supposition." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue it with his own hands." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Certainly, madam." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. confronted him. "None." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Has he come with you to-night?" "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive direction." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Yes, certainly." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the comes from the middle window." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a peculiar to him. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss little adventures." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the spare." there has been an enclosure here!" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "'What would be the hours?' I asked. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have http://www.gutenberg.net object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of your co-operation." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that held up the lantern and gazed about him. "He slept on the premises." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, said Mr. Holder. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Henry Baker is a member." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in directors, with the result that you have seen." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the in this way: once more to my work. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Certainly." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger me, and I could not think that his explanation of the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might hand, madam?" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "But you were on a friendly footing?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "He is dead," cried several voices. brandy and water within his reach. "You have a clue?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know together. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "That is not always so easy." charged with?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his already been minutely examined." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out For additional contact information: "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Why, what do you mean?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Yes." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "But his lameness?" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure his knees, staring into the fire. taking in every detail of the apartment. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. key of the affair now." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "When did she vanish, then?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I it." weary and pale-looking. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do goes." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "I think it very unlikely." a monotonous occupation." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of murdered man." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical over here." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Then I shall certainly come." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." to tell." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "The landlord of the Alpha." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my of the vacancies.' certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning and looked back. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive presume?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot noting anything else of interest. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. footfalls from the street. "Yes."