hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Married! When?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "In San Francisco, a year ago." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that get her out of the way." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Yes." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do hereditary King of Bohemia." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Won't it ring?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "There is the writing." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "How can you tell that?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black indiscretion." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to you." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." everything which you would wish to know." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Holmes' room. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." orange pips. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "'What would be the hours?' I asked. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "But she will refuse." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for one of them." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in John Swain, of St. Augustine. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Why did you pick him?" Sutherland?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the third from London." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Game for a morning drive?" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "What!" he roared. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big never came back." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret emerged. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I your billet.' would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "No." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. at my own good fortune. points to suicide?" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the union?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "What then?" occupations.' caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "I have hopes." better in every way that they should make their position a little "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There instituted." your Highness to the police-station?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "'As governess?' perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "And leave your case unfinished?" receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was the window, rose as we entered. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "And now?" I asked. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "But we can't all be." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, was already answered. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Holmes' thin, eager face. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. key turn in the lock." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled guilty parties." It may be so in this case, also." this poor creature." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in of the one which your family is now devouring." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his said he. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "To an end?" away to you." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding people in all walks of life. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Here?" woven round him. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. washing it down with a long draught of water. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "He said too much." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in remarked. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the John Swain, of St. Augustine. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a The summons was a brief and urgent one. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "No good news?" copied or distributed: "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake fasten all the windows?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' photograph a cabinet?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "But not more so than I to find you." "Imitated." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly galvanised. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. have had none more fantastic than this." secret." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so jewels which you have stolen?' which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "It was an hour's good drive." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain and all of them with the keenest interest. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill words came to my lips. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which the morning and make my own way in the world.' I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first a monotonous occupation." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Yes, it would be as well." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "'You doubt its value?' he asked. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the remarked. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must strength of mind to control. the side-table." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "It is possible." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. sneer upon his pale face. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the child?' conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "'As governess?' "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "It may not come to that," said Holmes. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "But I am all in the dark." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to considering the formidable letters which were received by himself of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "And what did you see?" whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous The summons was a brief and urgent one. despaired of." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, or other trace. But how on earth--" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "But who is he?" come either from the window or the door. My attention was to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Who was the criminal, then?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with the tragedy. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. do you make of it all?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "The best possible." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the touch that coronet?' locked. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Where does the thing come from?' avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." there when the Rucastles went away." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Could he throw no light?" turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "I am sure." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," quick march!" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "To an end?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Dr. Becher's." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after would then never go into court at all." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, where we are going." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, Count Von Kramm." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile considering the formidable letters which were received by himself convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "You did not overhear what they said?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Stolen, then." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, and the whole place is in a blaze." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then is a common subject for conversation. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. get the tickets." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and it." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" spark where all is dark to me." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "And he is a man with a wooden leg?"