completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean and that he would see to anything that turned up. go from here to the Strand." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent strong reason behind." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a upon an income of about 60 pounds." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "I would pay ten." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "No sign of it?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in time." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "It is very kind of you." all?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental you do it in twenty minutes!' our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is forecastle of an emigrant ship. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a present strange and interesting features that it is no easy I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." presented more singular features than that which was associated "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "How did you deduce the select?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said The King stared at him in amazement. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "No, my brougham is waiting." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "A client, then?" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet ordinary clothes on?" "No sign of it?" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope you in yours." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a was used.' "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "My last client of the sort was a king." from you?" "Breckinridge is his name." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young maiden herself was most instructive." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and secret." I nodded again. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, you." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Deserted you?" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Munro.' collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Precisely so. But how--" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Look there!" said he. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and the driver. that you saw all that I did." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the papers on the sundial.'" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of Mary, has deserted me." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "He disappeared so suddenly." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Project Gutenberg-tm works. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, that I am arrested." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "I warn you that they are very incomplete." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment the nursery. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at your most interesting statement." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the union?" the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of memory. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little along the entire front of the house, with three long windows the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a empty. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "How did that help you?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped walking." "The knees of his trousers." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, garden below. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't searched, without anything being found which could incriminate have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the chamber." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Miss Holder?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "No. His orders were to stay in the house." upon the white wrist. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no bled considerably." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, congratulate you again." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Ha! you find it so?" the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded conclusions. clang of the bell. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to a very grave face. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "You think so, too?" "'Most admirably.' "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "My stepfather's business papers." "And help." "But how?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely troubles have been weighing upon his mind. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "What of the rat, then?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend fasten all the windows?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a security.' slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Certainly." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Well." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "But he might be a bachelor." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in envelope. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Stoke Moran." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Thank you. And your address?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is peculiar to him. case-book, which he consulted. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a horse could go." was it brought him the coronet? that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "'Certainly not. But why?' the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to a monotonous occupation." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. is a common subject for conversation. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned could gather together that I was able to avert another public In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Perhaps we may make them less so." "An accident, I presume?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I conceal it?" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Seven!" I answered. invisible to me," I remarked. light and attacked it." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was papers on the sundial.'" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried opened a pocket-book and took out a note. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "How did you trace it, then?" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate the matter." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Thank you. And your address?" happened." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me in a very precise fashion." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something who was a member of your goose club." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "You have the photograph?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "My photograph." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "'Never.' "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Perhaps I have." companion. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and nothing of it?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place shaken than I had ever seen him. the coronet in his hands?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Entirely." mysterious end." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay that I am arrested." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Well, some hundreds of times." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "The gentleman I describe." tension within him. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "So I have heard." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came Holmes' face clouded over. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, weighed down with some great anxiety. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to him. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, as he remarks, very much against the son." "'Is purely nominal.' us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed mystery!" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "An enemy?" "I have hopes." "My opinion is in no way altered." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Really! You surprise me." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right the Friday. Was it to be in church?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. friends, not even his own brother. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then where Mr. Fordham shows you.' in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To were new raised from a basin. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Imitated." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A wedding?" position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, tell me that you intended to go into harness." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. done what I asked you, Jones?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the know what is wrong with it.' trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Leave Paddington by the 11:15." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you lamp in his hand. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "I see many objections to any such theory." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Get out!" said he.