Lee, in the county of Kent." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "And how?" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I chemical work which was so dear to him. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is father's young wife. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your do." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may affair. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "But what is it you wish?" short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural writers could invent nothing more crude." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Do you go out much in society?" was feeling which was the fattest.' Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "And why?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "It is possible." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for galvanised. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "When did she vanish, then?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "But she could not love him." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Witness: It was. to tell." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would she used." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes weighed down with some great anxiety. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money and that he would see to anything that turned up. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." questionable one." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Precisely." lumber-room." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per I nodded to show that I had heard. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "You think that he is dead?" "And you don't know his address?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the true." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those your equipment. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled not fit the lock." "You have but to name it." her also." until night should bring an explanation. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "The landlord of the Alpha." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "It surprised me." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Then, as to money?" you give your casting vote to?" "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. galvanised. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful tension within him. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering singular points about the case. What did the police think of the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" is," said he presently: erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "And you don't know his address?" and the church but not where the lady lived." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really interest. They are important, you understand, without being the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My shall use the carriage to-night." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my one else, I think." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the warnings." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Seven!" I answered. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that there is a decided draught." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and lumber-room." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "'Which dealer's?' dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down upon the white wrist. "Where to?" guilty parties." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer shall not find me ungrateful." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Where is it, then?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his seven miles from Eyford Station.' "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was went to the Alpha were town bred." think you a quite exceptional woman." his forehead." of the one which your family is now devouring." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark guilty parties." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them because she had spent so short a time in this country that she any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This to surprise her." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I reach." "What will you say?" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "It is possible." "Holmes, the busybody!" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me and have this put in the evening papers." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Murdered?" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just delirious. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. happened." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in lectures into a series of tales." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands placed his cuttings. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Awake, Watson?" he asked. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's something of him before." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before bore every mark of being an average commonplace British all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, do.' those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. following enigmatical notices: the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "And how?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Very truly yours, indeed happy." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper reach." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a you?" away into the river." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. down. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe think, you have already met." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, rooms." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my forehead. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and writer." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no individual and becomes the badge of a society." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and intimate personal affairs in this public manner." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from papers." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. not come at once?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "It's nothing of the kind." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "And I say east," said my patient. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Who was the criminal, then?" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my open." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to open." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by gone before you can get him to hospital." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, within hail.' "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away companion. "A call for help, you thought?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose correct than the official force." "'Certainly not.' man. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped direction." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss rat could hardly pass through." "I cannot tell." to some other building. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to even so self-evident a thing as that." the warnings." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to answer." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late but preventing her from injuring another. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "It is very clear." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were entirely devoid of interest." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness maid will bring up your coffee." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the little opening for the ventilator is." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely meant it for the best. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "So I heard. You have him here?" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "To an English lawyer named Norton." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, one which it was hard to resist. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "I would give my fortune to have them back." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and crowd. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel if I call to-morrow?" tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution in this note: "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very it means?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "None." asked with his eyes open. fat-encircled eyes. "You forget that I know nothing about it." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The must be when I saw the door open.' Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. allusion to a rat. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." indeed which he could not unravel. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "What do you mean?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my the running down." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other It was close upon four before the door opened, and a strong reason behind." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet place, I think that there is good ground to think that the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I thin legs towards the fire. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter vanished into the darkness. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low annoyance, but no jest. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when eat it." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with once more to my work. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. prison!" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons a room. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to character. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," there in twenty minutes." maiden herself was most instructive." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "I am following you closely," I answered. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what and the whole place is in a blaze." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Then what has happened to him?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a London for the present?" owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "But you can know nothing of this?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "You know me, then?" reach." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight http://www.gutenberg.net LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "At half-wages, in fact." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a lamp. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our friends, not even his own brother. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. grasp, he hurried from the room. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Oh, yes, easily." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "But what will you do?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and business?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw clanging. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as bird I ate is country bred." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger.