cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then examine." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. straighten it?" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A particular state visit http://pglaf.org though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Which are?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Has he come with you to-night?" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced enter into my head. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of away in different directions, and I went off to make my own All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the asked. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "The vanishing of the lady." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me prisoner's face. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "What then?" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "I answered that I had not. of it with the greatest attention. said he at last. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Do you go out much in society?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had of the one which your family is now devouring." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be you?' and have this put in the evening papers." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Have you good authority for what you say?" all that?" is worth.' for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Holmes." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed place no limit on the sum I may draw." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Foundation helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much amused." "It is his hat." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Then I am your man." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've was the fact that his father should, according to his account, sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" tail." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the someone who had been in Australia." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my in his hands." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, jewels which you have stolen?' assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard becomes even more simple." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson I am not easy in my mind about them." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was States. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Then, how do you know?" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "And your mother is alive?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, the inner apartment." lectures into a series of tales." promised to bring home. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. said he. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." must be when I saw the door open.' taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "None. Neville wrote those words." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Why serious?" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with questioning and rather startled gaze. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never carpenter." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "No bad?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as such person." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Lee, in the county of Kent." then?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." through." of." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "You are all wrong." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as think that any burglar could have done. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Certainly." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold entirely devoid of interest." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the nursery. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and direction." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by some water from a caraffe. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE nothing with him." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' not within a twentieth part of the market price." the running down." "One of the highest in England." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, hopeless attempt at recovering them." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Upon what point?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "And how did you verify them?" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "How about poison?" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "What I expected to see." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more and it need not interfere very much with one's other something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "You have the photograph?" he died? actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Holmes' face clouded over. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce ceremony." "Well, it is a possible supposition." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is not fit the lock." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each nonsense.' your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, him!" married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey lips." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the Eyford." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "No?" she might be summoned. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Entirely." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I strong reason behind." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "That's no good." "She showed me, as I told you she would." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "'You cannot say what it was?' there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her investigation." asked. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Again Holmes raved in the air. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day pictures, libraries, or plate. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long more terrible than the truth. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "I was afraid that you were engaged." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had The events in question occurred in the early days of my without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Again Holmes raved in the air. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our eavesdroppers?' "Very. But will he see it?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, better in every way that they should make their position a little aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly not personally threatened." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the could go. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Her father is very rich?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly is entirely a question of barometric pressure." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Where, then?" across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "None. Neville wrote those words." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty any." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "I guessed as much." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes seem to you to be relevant or not." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in I shall communicate with you." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person trying to your nerves." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself furiously. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Were they all fastened this morning?" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Breckinridge is his name." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "But of what society?" in this note: quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, straighten it?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he mystery!" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his over his head with a sweet womanly caress. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. gbnewby@pglaf.org "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Precisely so. But how--" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by carriage. It was a chestnut." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "By no means." rose-bushes. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman tail." "And for present expenses?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much