much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" interested in these little problems, and since you are good other means.' "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "I should wish to." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Could he throw no light?" possible that we could bring him back to her? will find little credit to be gained out of this case." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the crackling voice. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Leadenhall Street--and--" Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." tightly behind him. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about have established a very serious case against the son of the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing you." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel breakfast." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any any." ago." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "BALLARAT." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. with some details as to your case." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand correct than the official force." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and something of him before." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, money should be paid at once.' commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window grasp, he hurried from the room. "What office?" "Did your wife hear all this?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. I approached. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." awkward doing business with an alias." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the spark where all is dark to me." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way place of silver." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "'I am sure that I do not know.' son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would all that?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "How about poison?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. for securing the situation." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Holmes' face clouded over. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Have you her photograph?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading have established a very serious case against the son of the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Well, some hundreds of times." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "'I have already given you my word.' over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not searched, without anything being found which could incriminate perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Proceed, then." to tackle the facts." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across look upon these things in a different way." my former friend and companion. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Stolen." not personally threatened." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself arrested. You then--" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly kind enough to tell me what I should do." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote roused himself from his reverie. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very read it out to me." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Look there!" said he. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." hereditary King of Bohemia." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside taking in every detail of the apartment. I think that I could be of assistance to you." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few never came back." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional his cane at the bell-pull. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "I think that I had better go, Holmes." before the coroner and the police-court." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Who by?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he crime. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." status with the IRS. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong look upon these things in a different way." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his woven round him. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Why? What do you mean?" Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an this Miss Turner." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." like that before?" "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. where she found matters as described by the last witness. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads good-night and bustled off upon her way. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a tightly behind him. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." prepare for the new role I have to play." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and I nodded again. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per out." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, maid will bring up your coffee." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Surrey." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in keep the flames under. "Stoke Moran?" said he. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look London for the present?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been as he folded up the epistle. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. placed his cuttings. "What can you not understand?" "But how will you look?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a do.' "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed could gather together that I was able to avert another public "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, village inn over there?" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the said I. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was then?" ordinary clothes on?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Yes, certainly." "I cannot imagine." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do mystery!" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William south, for the country is more deserted there." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very clang of the bell. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "I will get her to show me." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "I have my revolver," said I. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Pope's Court. "You have but to name it." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "By no means." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Cross for the Continent." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Ah, but I was recommended to you." hereditary King of Bohemia." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will is entirely a question of barometric pressure." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have where she found matters as described by the last witness. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came as yours." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to most important business. It is probable that he will be away all of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "A call for help, you thought?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good to tell." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "I was mad--insane." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' too. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Frequently." pictures, libraries, or plate. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small returning from some small jollification and was making his way weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from place of silver." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, three of the beryls in it, was missing. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about the armchair which I pushed forward for him. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your the night.' style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is and wait." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I This is what he says: Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "I will try. What is it?" "How do you know, then?" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "By train from Waterloo." "Which are?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of to surprise her." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Seven!" I answered. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "What of the rat, then?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of John Swain, of St. Augustine. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One the coroner come to?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in within hail.' hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in my friend's incisive reasoning. whether it answered to the description of any of their The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. until night should bring an explanation. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking ways of our fellow-men." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "One of his hands." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in suspect him." "The gentleman I describe." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: allusion to a rat. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not mystery!" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite our word." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever.