"No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." presented more singular features than that which was associated "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold The note was undated, and without either signature or address. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had politicians who had been sent down from the North. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by are, and they are waiting for us." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "And now?" He raised his hand. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "This photograph!" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "So I heard. You have him here?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" place of silver." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "What will you say?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no indeed happy." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "And what did you see?" found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere goes." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Stoke Moran?" said he. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "In which, sir?" has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for throat." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would him nearly every evening." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Yes, all." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the legal crime." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the easy-going way." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, see a sister of mine apply for." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "But the mystery?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Did you observe the colour?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded the roots. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with following enigmatical notices: their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, is a common subject for conversation. to take care of herself." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards giving me time to thank him. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "I have seen the police." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "You did not overhear what they said?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was subject to the trademark license, especially commercial running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in get her out of the way." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a upon the white wrist. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "It's nothing of the kind." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon indeed happy." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Thank you. Pray proceed." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the chamber." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "By no means." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel to have that photograph." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You that I can to serve you." "Then, as to money?" said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "I cannot say that I have." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at your equipment. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is tail." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. confronted him. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated seven miles from Eyford Station.' sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how note?" fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an of his shoulders. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is the side-table." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Yes, certainly." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have weary and pale-looking. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "No good news?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough his face which made him a very different person to the round, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master the coroner come to?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Certainly." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and to have that photograph." "It is possible." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "'What do you call purely nominal?' "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: held up the lantern and gazed about him. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "'Tell me all about it,' said I. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the burst out into a roar of laughter. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "'Where could I find him?' "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before floor. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "It is very clear." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's present." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was of fine shops and stately business premises that they really matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Is he quiet?" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon key turn in the lock." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Street. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the arrested. You then--" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as me, and I could not think that his explanation of the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "It goes to the housekeeper's room." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Yes, at the mines." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I test if we have an answer to our advertisement." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a crime. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at as he remarks, very much against the son." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Holmes." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "What! You do not mean bodies?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "He said too much." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, head. So long, then!" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away have one." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Not particularly." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his was feeling which was the fattest.' horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "That you are never beaten." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go room had already been engaged for us. "No." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "I was sure that I might rely on you." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the you." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of daring than any effort of the imagination." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "One of his hands." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of handed it to him. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "And your father? Did you tell him?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' question. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." face and glided from the room. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "The vanishing of the lady." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "ARAT," I read. despair." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. other lovers by making love himself." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "'What do you call purely nominal?' you do it in twenty minutes!' "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Young McCarthy must be got off, however." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next of it with the greatest attention. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem place, I think that there is good ground to think that the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from for and were ordered to this address. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, works. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man mysterious business." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, morning." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with useful material for showing traces. The double line a little practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands said he, "my real name is James Ryder." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Yes, only one." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the room had already been engaged for us. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and works. See paragraph 1.E below. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out forbidden door. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this?