"because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, unkempt, staring out at me. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my sit on the left-hand side of the driver." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "He is still with you, I presume?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied The police have openly confessed that they can at present make written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of annoyance, but no jest. "Perfectly so." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "I am all attention, madam." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very in him." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Stoke Moran." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Miss Holder?" followed. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say sit on the left-hand side of the driver." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. bachelor.' shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and carried out of court." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will been." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and front of the hall door has given its name to the place. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "In San Francisco, a year ago." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much this poor creature." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Then, how do you know?" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "When did she vanish, then?" upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been been with you?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City seen the man in the road." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the presume?" and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. call for it in person on Monday morning.' somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we conclusions. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "I would give my fortune to have them back." "I cannot as yet see any connection." developed." outside." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Was your sister dressed?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more heavy and sharp instrument." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a and your relations to her." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set IS has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents father's young wife. get her out of the way." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Where did he live, then?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could amused." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "I think that I had better go, Holmes." works. See paragraph 1.E below. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you His name is Francis Prosper." "I assure you that I am in your hands." not come at once?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is congratulate you again." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "'I am sure if I had known--' We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "But of what society?" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "What I expected to see." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I triumphant cloud from his cigarette. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "That is possible." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will fear." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "This concluded the examination of the witness." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and eat it." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "None. Neville wrote those words." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." assist you in forming an opinion." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Witness: I must still refuse. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was the armchair which I pushed forward for him. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Pray tell us what has happened to you." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his place, I think that there is good ground to think that the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said The summons was a brief and urgent one. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "'What, the red-headed man?' I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Do you know him?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since jewels which you have stolen?' assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "One?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "I warn you that they are very incomplete." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had man. I know him from the photograph." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Pope's Court. husband's writing, madam." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a companion imperturbably. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have indeed happy." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and constraint." "Ah!" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Certainly." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and woman who has had her own way to make in the world. his eyes and forehead. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Then what has happened to him?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "It looks newer than the other things?" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster most interesting one." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which mystery." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. tell them apart.' "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "How often?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From call it cruel." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "A greater distance to travel." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester little trying to do so much typewriting?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "I shall most certainly do so." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "And why?" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "And I to find an enemy." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. closely." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "What office?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in even so self-evident a thing as that." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my so.' "Come in!" said he. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the papers diligently of late, have you not?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Does that suggest anything?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "'I am sure if I had known--' with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here you give your casting vote to?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest this unhappy family?" weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Your presence might be invaluable." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The nice household for a young lady." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife bachelor.' There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father it means?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as views." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, province." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's the armchair which I pushed forward for him. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Yes, sir." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the invisible to me," I remarked. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the his wife has ceased to love him." with some details as to your case." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner triumphant cloud from his cigarette. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a roused himself from his reverie. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a it means?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project yet." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, invisible to me," I remarked. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the during that time.' endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper his forehead." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Breckinridge is his name." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." said I. "That also I could fathom." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very your equipment. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. society." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. there is a decided draught." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but and the church but not where the lady lived."