which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what mystery may be cleared along those lines." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and little adventures." key turn in the lock." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "How often?" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "What shall I do?" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "And sit in the dark?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "I have hopes." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "I cannot imagine." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "You have carte blanche." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 bearing upon the case." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Will you go?" circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Doctor, of the paper and the date." "And I." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by night.' said he. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "To an English lawyer named Norton." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will as the one I chose?' was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that waste of energy." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California hair?' his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at this as likely?" "No." "The best possible." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Yes." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere as noiselessly as she had come. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Has he come with you to-night?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is him!" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: know all about it," he snarled. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think him to go away.' a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The distinguish the words: morning." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Holmes' face clouded over. fishes. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have that I may have something better before very many minutes are opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for happened." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, said he. face and glided from the room. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very arrangements." key of the affair now." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line go from here to the Strand." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a there when the Rucastles went away." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Yes, it would be as well." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Really! You surprise me." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the chance." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "No legal papers or certificates?" then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, less than 26s. 4d. outside. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "She will not sell." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and so far?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads one which it was hard to resist. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Where, then, is my wife?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship have accepted such a situation. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Foundation opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something about here speaks of his kindness to him." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some problems help me to do so." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "'You cannot say what it was?' Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that might have a private word with us. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. three of the beryls in it, was missing. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the of Mr. Rucastle's." straighten it?" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "'I am sure if I had known--' the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "I was mad--insane." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical that I can to serve you." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "'I have heard so.' employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "There is the writing." the child." "Did you observe the colour?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I you understand?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling way in." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Yes." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." at my own good fortune. "Has he come with you to-night?" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I know what is wrong with it.' breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Holmes, the busybody!" newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he fishes. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for hurried by. fluttered off among the others. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a and glanced through. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an highly," said Holmes. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "The doctor?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "To the police?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Munro.' to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. might have a private word with us. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "I have come for advice." see a sister of mine apply for." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical despair." "But we can't all be." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which thin legs towards the fire. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Yes." whole matter to your consideration." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it disturbance in my wife." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "In heaven's name, what for?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his what do you think they found in the pockets?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey what I may call a really hard day's work." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, me upon any point which I do not make clear." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Where, then, is my wife?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both humiliation." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in that the gas is not laid on in his house?" result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "You have compromised yourself seriously." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! his forehead." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Then I am your man." might help us?" "Precisely." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "What will you say?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress hour?' and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Certainly." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Nothing." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Certainly." my room." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "That is possible." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "'Yes, I promise.' "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while gives a meaning to it." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in off." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left do you make of it all?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that child?' however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. taking in every detail of the apartment. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "I cannot imagine." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where pressing in one house as in another. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, was already answered. "Precisely." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, enter Dr. Roylott's room." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Do you know him?" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to followed. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend strong and stiff." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and burst out into a roar of laughter. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly infinite languor in his face. "And from a noble client?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," she used." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you The events in question occurred in the early days of my that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Yes." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "'A dozen yards or so.' parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this His smile broadened. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about out." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate have an American origin." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in detained." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "At half-wages, in fact." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, brandy and water within his reach. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: him. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him plantation.' still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even him to be an active member of the medical profession." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is