"But how will you look?" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little prepare for the new role I have to play." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or This is what he says: were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. it." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had made him keep the appointment." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." on in his house." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Munro.' "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that extraordinary contortions. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards which our visitor detailed to us. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his bird I ate is country bred." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the most interesting one." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in placed his cuttings. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The evidence," I remarked. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "I will try. What is it?" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he must be when I saw the door open.' of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." are, and they are waiting for us." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, acted in my house last night?" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Pray continue your narrative." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, footfalls from the street. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed side. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "I shall most certainly do so." which are rolled in Rotterdam." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands least a most suspicious remark." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little where Mr. Fordham shows you.' downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. and no precautions can guard against." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was some mystery and the punishment of some crime." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "I will get her to show me." opportunities to fix the problem. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are giving me time to thank him. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his call you and give you the chance." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against you." works. See paragraph 1.E below. families. Now for the facts. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was interests were the same as his." Pope's Court. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "'Then let me do so?' of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very trifles." "It surprised me." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely heavily into it. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Then the page we have seen--" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the His smile broadened. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "But the mystery?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place where she found matters as described by the last witness. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "At the wedding breakfast." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, should be so warm over such a trifle." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all had died away into the silence from which it rose. you give your casting vote to?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. closely." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further from you?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away considering the formidable letters which were received by himself is so. I know all about McCarthy." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "That is easily got." the one as in the other." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply already been minutely examined." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in eat it." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by allusion to a rat. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. mystery!" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my this Miss Turner." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of I leave." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "And it is--" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and I think that I could be of assistance to you." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' already referred to. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for could not account in any way for the presence of the missing went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the had a long day." shoulder. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Stolen." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his woman who has had her own way to make in the world. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but means taking possession of that which another person has a prior for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic him!" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual call you and give you the chance." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "That is also quite modern," said the lady. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "A client, then?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "You know me, then?" "That is not always so easy." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a drove away. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have chair. it were putty." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "But she will refuse." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner results." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his to change my dress. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. as this. Pray let me have the details." "'Yes, sir.' other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Bought." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "My Mary? Impossible!" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the But Holmes shook his head gravely. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by Gutenberg-tm License. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very best detective that ever lived. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile beyond words. gentleman's clothes. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "What?" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that look upon these things in a different way." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "And that is--" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said wanted for ourselves." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" bachelor.' He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my already been minutely examined." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so papers." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." with you alone." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, know what is wrong with it.' shall not find me ungrateful." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Precisely." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, few hundred pounds.' sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' works. See paragraph 1.E below. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to yourselves in at night?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that into the bag, and made for the door. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped plantation.' "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "It is his hat." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear him." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining matter over." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "In the cells." go from here to the Strand." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and with frightened eyes at his accuser. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Lestrade of Scotland Yard." than to us. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, lumber-room." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait to tell." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the signal between you and your father? country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a back into the street. him. "One?" one of the states of the Union." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. undoubtedly my uncle's." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the waste of energy." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "But the mystery?" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this been." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "If I can be of use." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "I would pay ten." him to go away.' minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I be. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and I held the little printed slip to the light. up this clue while it is still hot." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Was your sister dressed?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Stoke Moran." but preventing her from injuring another. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Not I." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Never." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good think you a quite exceptional woman." "And leave your case unfinished?" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' desk. will be renamed. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Breckinridge is his name." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "No legal papers or certificates?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. fluttered off among the others. "Not particularly." been deceived." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Holmes. "Quite so. She has her freedom." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained to have been novel and of interest." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned the night.' fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped success. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish third from London." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "I am to be neutral?" "'And the work?' make me his representative both with the servants and with the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen neither fascinating nor artistic." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a way in everything. The King stared at him in amazement. "'Then let me do so?' anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "A confidential servant?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "But it has twice been burgled." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Could he throw no light?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "You think so, too?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me."