"I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "And what did you learn from him?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." carried out of court." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three what do you think they found in the pockets?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court my friend's incisive reasoning. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became any." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the me have 200 pounds?' presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "And now?" He raised his hand. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that other means.' "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But seem to you to be relevant or not." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I This is what he says: feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, at a side door. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the coroner's jury." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me you in yours." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those goes." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I in him." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "The gentleman I describe." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no crime." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was miles off. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your back into the street. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a investigation." appeared upon the scene." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no suggested at once that there must be a communication between the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you with the outside air!" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Where does the thing come from?' "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "To the police?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said you." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." one of them." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Get out!" said he. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I dates and names. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the woman." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our speckled band?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Yes." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in constraint." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of shall not find me ungrateful." him to go away.' there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all http://gutenberg.net/license). "And who is her maid?" looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out key turn in the lock." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Whose house is it?" reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "What have you done?" asked Holmes. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had was lame." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. happened." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the man. I know him from the photograph." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a hands. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Eyford." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "I would pay ten." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his him to be an active member of the medical profession." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp had a long day." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, the ceiling. copied or distributed: "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened to-morrow." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this a room. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the window when the police appeared." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Will you go?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting way: hour." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "'Never,' said I. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "By no means." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Dr. Becher's." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "I have my revolver," said I. cigar and let me expound." "Oh, yes, easily." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "And leave your case unfinished?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the devil!" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? gigantic client. him. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "'I shall certainly be there.' yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Was he the only applicant?" beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is death." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Just look it up, then." works. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." easy-going way." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Countess of Morcar's?" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Can I be of assistance?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a in a friendly supper." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. him and tried to hold him back. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "I will not look." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" allusion to a rat. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your geese which you supplied to the Alpha." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Precisely so. But how--" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell anything to a woman, for she would have her way." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "I came to find a friend." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen secret." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." really the only notable feature about the thing." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "'What do you call purely nominal?' the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "That is easily got." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to fuss that is made over them." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "'Then let me do so?' Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from notes," he said. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "I was afraid that you were engaged." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. fire. You quite follow me?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs sparkled upon his finger. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Pray do so." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must thin legs towards the fire. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. seven miles from Eyford Station.' across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found presume?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Well, some hundreds of times." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped is entirely a question of barometric pressure." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow speckled band?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Then I do not see the point." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Holmes' room. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Here?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have companion. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open mysterious business." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been colour had been driven from his face. felt the room to be a little close.' "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Not in the least." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock other, as fresh and trim as possible. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention and the whole place is in a blaze." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Ah!" carriage. It was a chestnut." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we official police." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has one else, I think." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "What are they?" "She walked into the breakfast-room." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "None." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I washing it down with a long draught of water. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Henry Baker is a member." skylight. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too photograph a cabinet?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' the side-table." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or there has been an enclosure here!" "I am following you closely," I answered. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather have an American origin." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The The King stared at him in amazement. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and the stable lane now." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It too. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." annoyance, but no jest. you do it in twenty minutes!' certainly do as you advise." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge coat-tails." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little salesman. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in tell them apart.' would then never go into court at all." together. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do fasten all the windows?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very You can understand that this register and diary may implicate decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to should be so warm over such a trifle." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "I have come for advice." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence back alive. "I know where it is." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the sofa. This way, please!" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next your own bird, so if you wish--" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "And I." photograph?" respectable self." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without about here speaks of his kindness to him." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel when you have done it." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of forehead. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening foresight and the moral retrogression?" "I would pay ten." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Eyford at 11:15.' doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much my former friend and companion. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "I was mad--insane."