he. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Then I am your man." straightened it out again. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable placed his cuttings. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and interest. They are important, you understand, without being data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now digesting their breakfasts at home." article?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Farm upon the left." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with written. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for problems help me to do so." her also." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "I never have." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no some city in a dream. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "And you thought he was pulled back?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his round and wave him away like that.' rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that back into the street. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran only touch the interest." DISSOLVED. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "What then?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Thank you. And your address?" the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "It came here." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly long narrative. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in asked. narrative." handed it to him. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." something of him before." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is trifles." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the look dissatisfied." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." answered with a sidelong glance. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I my former friend and companion. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring my secret was safe in his possession. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is is a common subject for conversation. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "He slept on the premises." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the south, for the country is more deserted there." events than those which have happened in my own family." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "She will not sell." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he eat it." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of public press." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come the Red-headed League." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. empty. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "You are all wrong." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "What, then?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the of receipt of the work. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to him and tried to hold him back. important." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but questionable one." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What families. Now for the facts. "'Quite sure, dad.' "Certainly." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a together. "Yes, at the mines." least a most suspicious remark." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is are, and they are waiting for us." showing my impatience. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Won't it ring?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in nights." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "By no means." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream awkward doing business with an alias." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from that he will be back before evening." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "You horrify me." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one the inquest, and which are worth considering." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "What will you do, then?" crime. fuss that is made over them." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look breakfast." developed." "I shall be delighted." "'Then let me do so?' Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into it." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the definite end. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's one or two very singular points about this room. For example, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay seen the man in the road." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done bell. Holmes whistled. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "What, then, did Peterson do?" the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for lumber-room." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned for the market.' "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in ways of our fellow-men." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him there." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the pictures, libraries, or plate. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "In which, sir?" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other carpenter." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are Pope's Court. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Your presence might be invaluable." Gutenberg-tm License. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "9th. McCauley cleared. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the matter?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his cost them two and thirty pounds." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal more solid." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the himself in a perplexing position. developed." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And business?" unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The manager. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it overpowering excitement and concern. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know lids now and glanced across at his visitor. was used.' enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had again on its way. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Then how many are there?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I front of me. have one." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of question. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of October 9, 1890. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert approach us with offers to donate. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I returned to France?" "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this cigars in the box." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring heavily into it. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Pray continue your narrative." this man was intellectual?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Yes." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "What do you mean?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner off." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said place of silver." his huge brown hands. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Yes, sir." Count Von Kramm." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" flock.' upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between bill, which interests me deeply." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been suspect him." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next colonel looking down at me. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was your co-operation." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in letters?" one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "BALLARAT." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his and put his glass in his pocket. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at stammered. of them has the shutters up.' He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, said he. call for it in person on Monday morning.' thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a papers on the sundial.'" unprofitable." been deceived." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "I say it is." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to client, rising. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's For additional contact information: "Have you her photograph?" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort to that open window." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just better grown goose." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "And the murderer?" are, I think, all that we need." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Your French gold?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who