"I have solved it." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to orange pips. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to himself. you in your example." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Dr. Becher's." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, laugh and put his lips to my ear. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "'You cannot say what it was?' reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study was feeling which was the fattest.' daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which important." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, chambers. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of I approached. "And how?" "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "We have tried and failed." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." of his shoulders. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "That's no good." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of the Assizes." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion License. You must require such a user to return or "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in what do you think they found in the pockets?" little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, over here." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll see a sister of mine apply for." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private o'clock is it?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Then you may be so with me." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared tightly behind him. "But I am all in the dark." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Ah!" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the read it out to me." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been whereabouts. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this you came in." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to your troubles." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "I have a cab outside." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Yes, at the mines." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Always." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by there were so many in the whole country as were brought together placed his cuttings. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 him." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among Henry Baker is a member." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down some terrible trap for her." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Well, but China?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "I was afraid that you were engaged." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and hurried away. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "But how?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "I will try. What is it?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Won't it ring?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's until night should bring an explanation. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, wall." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right which it had come upon my father." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Then I can wait in the next room." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "I see no marks." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young get her out of the way." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to ran thus: appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "And is that all?" "I guessed as much." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature extraordinary contortions. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Quite so." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has had formerly been in part my own. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "No more words. Get out!" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Ah!" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "No more words. Get out!" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a you?' 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "And how did you find out?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, indeed happy." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near the ceiling. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "What! a murderous attack?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. bonnet, and went out." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Which surely he restored to their owner?" green of the new foliage. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "But it has twice been burgled." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. you do it in twenty minutes!' "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her gbnewby@pglaf.org the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be wanted for ourselves." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." locked." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "'What are you doing there?' he asked. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to fluttered off among the others. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering you do it in twenty minutes!' crime. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom October 9, 1890. lumber-room." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the window, rose as we entered. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A bill, which interests me deeply." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I galvanised. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" and have this put in the evening papers." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "I am to be neutral?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of new duties?' It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out during the last few years, and there are many noble families to would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. any." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "I shall be delighted." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "I promise," said Holmes. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Then he might have called to you?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered unprofitable." "But to whom?" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a very peculiar words of the dying woman?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge brain must have something in it." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, I held the little printed slip to the light. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was any little problem which you may submit to me." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with in a friendly supper." "No." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master handed it to him. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any begin with, and I had not got mine yet." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't appointment with me for six o'clock?" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Have you it here?" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down upon a handsome competence. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting you." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." shall use the carriage to-night." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have indeed happy." "How about poison?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the examine." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "I am to be neutral?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I the little opening for the ventilator is." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "No, my brougham is waiting." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, gone. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not answered with a sidelong glance. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the mystery." wall." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "And how did you verify them?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. suddenly upon us." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to searched, without anything being found which could incriminate like that before?" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself