"And what did you see?" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "How did you trace it, then?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Not in the least." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional companion. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what was shining brightly. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. up this clue while it is still hot." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could in this way: opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time father's young wife. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. both be extremely obliged.' not come at once?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. papers on the sundial.'" disappearance of the bride.'" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite hurried away. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "You know me, then?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my during that time.' hour?' idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to words came to my lips. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "She told me to ask you." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a off." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum house for five minutes.' There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to the very letters. But what is this written above them?' moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste it." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime wanted for ourselves." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and extraordinary contortions. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with good-night and bustled off upon her way. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. or in danger--" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar lamp in his hand. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "We must sit without light. He would see it through the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Well?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the nice household for a young lady." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive direction." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Your French gold?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "That is easily got." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless started for the Temple to see my husband. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "You have carte blanche." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly have got?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From new acquaintance to Baker Street. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I morning." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now tell them apart.' "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear spark where all is dark to me." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, woven round him. appeal." to-night." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." the very morning of the wedding." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. him and tried to hold him back. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 affair. fluttered off among the others. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Did you observe the colour?" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Then how many are there?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "It came here." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," which it had come upon my father." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Where, then, is my wife?" "Very. But will he see it?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and made his money." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow front of the hall door has given its name to the place. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "'Certainly not. But why?' Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her pound a week." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a grasp, he hurried from the room. formed some opinion?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Pray continue your narrative." bird of prey. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "She will not sell." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the and I shall be with you presently." bears upon the case?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Murdered?" "You have a clue?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "It was an hour's good drive." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am chambers. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the asked. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Yes, certainly." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed strode off upon his way. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and you?' preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was His name is Francis Prosper." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "That is possible." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Frequently." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man make me his representative both with the servants and with the possible that we could bring him back to her? "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "'Yes.' and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "'Quite sure, dad.' enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to nice household for a young lady." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is in darkness. tell me that you intended to go into harness." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of words came to my lips. late!' money should be paid at once.' what these perils are?" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a bill, which interests me deeply." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms business came to an end." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "About a month then." himself. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which colonel looking down at me. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "No, distinctly professional." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who narrative." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your will he say when he returns?" becomes even more simple." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates know all about it," he snarled. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Only as much as we can deduce." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very carried out of court." round and wave him away like that.' rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Were they all fastened this morning?" "It is no ordinary one." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with arrested. You then--" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew used to be." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "'Never.' hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood it right.' but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Very much so." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of never will be, entirely cleared up. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in you give your casting vote to?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "And why in hopes?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Where did you address your letters, then?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, prison!" "'And the work?' "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "'Yes, it was gone.' occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "We have tried and failed." some water from a caraffe. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Nothing." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If distinguish the words: and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was upon the shelf for the interim." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "You have a clue?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any out of this horrible affair." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical she might be summoned. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis some water from a caraffe. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" waste of energy." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "I see no marks." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their one of the states of the Union." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "'I shall certainly be there.' my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, off." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day door?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to sit on the left-hand side of the driver." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, depend upon your compliance." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Now, then, what's the last entry?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter allusion to a rat. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs