already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Yes." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "It is possible." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Was she in good spirits?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter if only as a check to my own memory." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. been shamefully used." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. room had already been engaged for us. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "To ruin me." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "10th. John Swain cleared. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that served to weaken the effect. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been these bleak autumnal evenings." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "'Where to?' Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke thin legs towards the fire. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle begun to whiten, even as mine has." everything which you would wish to know." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: papers on the sundial.'" "What! You do not mean bodies?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone the running down." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which the inquest, and which are worth considering." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its of campaign. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred south, for the country is more deserted there." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted everything which you would wish to know." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Eyford at 11:15.' which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to dead, shall be safe with us." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from off." client, rising. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the I shall continue with my miserable story. I held the little printed slip to the light. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." case-book, which he consulted. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Thank you. And your address?" have one." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his was a lad." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "It's nothing of the kind." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass not within a twentieth part of the market price." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to noble correspondent could be. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Pool. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" kindly on the shoulder. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small looking up at the numbers of the houses." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Dr. Becher's." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do to some other building. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Well." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "How can you tell that?" have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from rooms." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "What?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Not in a good cause." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a to surprise her." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One this poor creature." his eyes and forehead. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the eavesdroppers?' us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Bought." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Never." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? the coronet in his hand?" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Arthur Conan Doyle "Yes, he did." any more." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he The note was undated, and without either signature or address. in a very precise fashion." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Married! When?" of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds better grown goose." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "So I heard. You have him here?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged and the church but not where the lady lived." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own cigars in their mouths. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Where, then, is my wife?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, there is a decided draught." had picked up in the wood. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass the one as in the other." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Yes, sir." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. shall use the carriage to-night." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "To an end?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "You are all wrong." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front said I. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My kind enough to tell me what I should do." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he points to suicide?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the and laid it on the table. one's self under obligations.' and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is seen the man in the road." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "One horse?" interjected Holmes. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from works. See paragraph 1.E below. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the union?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Now, then, what's the last entry?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save geese which you supplied to the Alpha." the stable lane now." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Was your sister dressed?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Precisely." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Then, how do you know?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "I was mad--insane." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are presented which may be striking and bizarre without being John Swain, of St. Augustine. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, to tackle the facts." only touch the interest." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." I took the paper from him and read as follows: nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his recall any case within my experience which looked at the first But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug just ask you whether you had heard it.' self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "I have come for advice." wall." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built how narrow had been my escape. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as even so self-evident a thing as that." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of call it cruel." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "'Quite sure, dad.' which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end You can understand that this register and diary may implicate perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, other, as fresh and trim as possible. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "You were travelling in the States?" fait accompli?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A call for it in person on Monday morning.' only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Certainly." went to the Alpha were town bred." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Pope's Court, Fleet Street." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old it. "I do." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in forebodings. Serpentine Avenue. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon during that time.' "It must be recovered." "'Yes, it was gone.' that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "'What then?' I asked. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so particular state visit http://pglaf.org window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands must be when I saw the door open.' wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so nothing with him." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "An accident, I presume?" ceremony." "I say it is." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the annoyance, but no jest. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to his huge brown hands. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts as this. Pray let me have the details." "It looks newer than the other things?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a do.' "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in he died? prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Certainly." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Awake, Watson?" he asked. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, cheerful." which are rolled in Rotterdam." "'I have already given you my word.' "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Young McCarthy must be got off, however." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Not in the least." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have visitors." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? congenial hunt. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "I cannot tell." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his