are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Yes, only one." sake, don't!" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Precisely." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in fluttered off among the others. "I am all attention, madam." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house other means.' knowledge of the world." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Stoke Moran." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Then you may be so with me." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as already been minutely examined." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "It is a murder, then?" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that have had none more fantastic than this." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "No, thank goodness, she did not." whether it answered to the description of any of their "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the running down." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then to arrive at through this?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less my friend's incisive reasoning. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Stoke Moran." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Then how many are there?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Was he the only applicant?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "You heard nothing yourself last night?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our woman." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was gives a meaning to it." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. shall not find me ungrateful." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Perhaps we may make them less so." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "To the police?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "None. Neville wrote those words." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Did your wife hear all this?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the ceiling. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you all?" it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This she used." conceal it?" heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely my former friend and companion. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'Yes, it was gone.' before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "But we can't all be." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with over here." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to you?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "It came here." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "'Certainly not.' younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you both be extremely obliged.' "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "And why?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or populous neighbourhood." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "And from a noble client?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an see me here to avoid scandal." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has ready to-morrow?' depend upon your compliance." him to go away.' it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "She showed me, as I told you she would." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so ways including including checks, online payments and credit card The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the correct than the official force." "What can you not understand?" Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the to miss it." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she events than those which have happened in my own family." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of legal crime." the Assizes." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" will be renamed. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. more solid." the coroner come to?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the clanging. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "'Then let me do so?' correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, in his hands." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, gigantic client. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no nights." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "But how?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so your only hope of safety." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "I see no marks." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the written, and locked the door of the office after me. vanished into the darkness. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "I beg pardon." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and ways including including checks, online payments and credit card to tackle the facts." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, people don't know." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my should be taken.' fear." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "What! a murderous attack?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him beyond words. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Here?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the iron safe, which he closed upon it. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said whether it answered to the description of any of their seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor allusion to a rat. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in other, as fresh and trim as possible. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand back into the street. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, exactly what you advise." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "We were both in the photograph." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this furiously. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a and shall probably return to London by the evening train." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of conclusions. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Never to return." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside burst out into a roar of laughter. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Does that suggest anything?" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second you, my dear young lady?' her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my this remarkable episode. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "'No, I know no one in these parts.' shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "But your client--" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "I don't believe it." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be jewels which you have stolen?' At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had asked. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end whether it answered to the description of any of their Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "'Ten to two.' carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to things are very often connected not with the larger but with the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have when you have done it." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes the iron safe, which he closed upon it. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "That also I could fathom." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known dates and names. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "None." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in past. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the would apply.' "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings It was close upon four before the door opened, and a prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time less than 26s. 4d. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand father's young wife. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his notes," he said. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your system of imprisonment?" "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. His name is Francis Prosper." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Game for a morning drive?" "And is that all?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to of fine shops and stately business premises that they really We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "I am all attention, madam." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in been with you?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "'Most admirably.' Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." bled considerably." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. secret." nonsense.' that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has system of imprisonment?" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds happened." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope rooms." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "We have tried and failed." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five ran thus: after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he copied or distributed: editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature back into the street. DISSOLVED. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "A client, then?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'A dozen yards or so.' husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "But not more so than I to find you." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "I cannot say that I have." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "'I have already given you my word.' as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Yes, at the mines." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. think that any burglar could have done. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Yes, sir." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "What office?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more make me his representative both with the servants and with the and looked back. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "At what time?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could he bowed and left the room without another word. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and felt the room to be a little close.' upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back The events in question occurred in the early days of my quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun the side-table." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, should be taken.' passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the