more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he must compliment you." crime. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing his grey eyes. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to over with notes and figures. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them situation." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "'Where to?' stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the them?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Where is it, then?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on more terrible than the truth. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "'Which dealer's?' his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "It is possible." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Your sister is dead, then?" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' learned something! Where are the gems?" again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you you." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may I held the little printed slip to the light. always that they were such commands as a lady might with were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there presented more singular features than that which was associated "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for said I. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You empty. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. system of imprisonment?" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and ordinary clothes on?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "So I have heard." bears upon the case?" "I have my revolver," said I. tell them apart.' fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and article?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Well?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your in one or two places in England?' "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the coroner's jury." "Texas, I think." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the this man was intellectual?" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over The events in question occurred in the early days of my very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is bill, which interests me deeply." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he father's young wife. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "You did not overhear what they said?" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "He disappeared so suddenly." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come will he say when he returns?" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Nothing." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed dear old homesteads?" lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional society." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The it were putty." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing your own bird, so if you wish--" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my clang of the bell. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Nearly eleven." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Why serious?" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge salesman. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Holmes rather sternly. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the at my own good fortune. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project the child." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I you." II. them?" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little trifles." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the money should be paid at once.' two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Was the window open?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which better grown goose." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "From his hat?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were late!' but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Yes, I have one waiting." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Which are?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I foresight and the moral retrogression?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing were new raised from a basin. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come But Holmes shook his head gravely. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a you, my dear young lady?' "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman any." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual unprofitable." ran thus: this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in where Mr. Fordham shows you.' its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "'I have heard so.' "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you with you?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "And what then?" me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it is entirely a question of barometric pressure." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove and it need not interfere very much with one's other breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary have one." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Precisely." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution was once confined in the cab my mission was practically slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "No." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "'I am sure if I had known--' morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Does that suggest anything?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Chief Executive and Director "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray address. second window is the one that I jumped from." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with opportunities to fix the problem. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "But how?" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "But what will you do?" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "But the mystery?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But fattened it expressly for you.' woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the long narrative. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for the south-west, I see." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." gone before you can get him to hospital." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Eh? What was that?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note not use it unless it is absolutely needed." showing my impatience. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, with the outside air!" Mary, has deserted me." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it about. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was served to weaken the effect. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "I do." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from said I. strong and stiff." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with there!' "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed disappearance of these gems?" said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away behind me. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Did your wife hear all this?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "But what harm can there be in that?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "What, then?" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." once more for Briony Lodge. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes because she had spent so short a time in this country that she charge against him will break down." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the own family. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" be.' "I should wish to." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "In the cells." "What! You do not mean bodies?" "What then?" shoulder. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "I was certainly surprised to find you there." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in front of me. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "You horrify me." instituted." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and arrested. You then--" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "It certainly sounds feasible." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "And who is her maid?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to I took the paper from him and read as follows: matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Come in!" said he. "You did not overhear what they said?" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Then what has happened to him?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up should be taken.' in your London, you will know that the office of the company is place, I think that there is good ground to think that the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Yes." been shamefully used." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. shall use the carriage to-night." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Farm upon the left." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of it? Did I buy the geese off you?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly writing, and yet I know it well." night.' said he. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "But what harm can there be in that?" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my particular state visit http://pglaf.org was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after them?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Only as much as we can deduce." 11:15.' "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "What are they?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "At the wedding breakfast." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "No." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all developed." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary his huge brown hands. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my *** START: FULL LICENSE *** staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "I think that I had better go, Holmes." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "You horrify me." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that good for you to do.' The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "By train from Waterloo." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "I cannot tell." "No, my brougham is waiting." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child lamp. "What is it, then--a fire?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have You can understand that this register and diary may implicate it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Imitated." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." like that before?" End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by