There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "How often?" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "It certainly sounds feasible." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and notes," he said. problems help me to do so." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign for its centre. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Did he not advertise?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small imbecility!" he cried. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "It is solved." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after depend upon my doing so.' the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough His smile broadened. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Well, some hundreds of times." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of himself. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Which surely he restored to their owner?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no electronic works an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. never came back." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. meant it for the best. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with bird of prey. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one waste of energy." details." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "She will not sell." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several status with the IRS. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "'Entirely.' and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited it." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the of the one which your family is now devouring." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Indeed! Whose, then?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Where did he live, then?" "'In my own bureau.' cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and intimate personal affairs in this public manner." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of skylight. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "'What do you call purely nominal?' glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this villagers almost as much as their master. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open them, and came down just as you departed. "Of Friday, June 19th." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, retorted upon me, and I on you." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Was there a secret marriage?" reach." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "It is to him that this trophy belongs." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying in a very precise fashion." "I know where it is." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Perhaps I have." the nursery. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which my special province." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith mysterious business." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had to his chemical studies. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. the coronet in his hand?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Your French gold?" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the that?' from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in hopeless attempt at recovering them." you in your example." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been present." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "It is possible." fattened it expressly for you.' "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' must be when I saw the door open.' appeared upon the scene." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything gone. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "'And what salary do you ask?' insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Your French gold?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and over his head with a sweet womanly caress. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of stood on the top of it. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our about. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the that you saw all that I did." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for ordinary clothes on?" should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been you want, then?' carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second which should have the effect of calling the attention of the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the go from here to the Strand." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "I assure you that I am in your hands." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and have had none more fantastic than this." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "In heaven's name, what for?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises companion. "Pray continue your narrative." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." you for a few hours?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "The vanishing of the lady." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six are, and they are waiting for us." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a status with the IRS. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "The landlord of the Alpha." "Did you observe the colour?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "No." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "It is possible." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." ventilator." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be heavily into it. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' once more to my work. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. there when the Rucastles went away." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Then you may entirely rely on me." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Was the window open?" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in mystery may be cleared along those lines." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Come in!" said he. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' room. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was breakfast?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had then?" pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "You horrify me." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush quite distinctive." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. excitement. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature rose-bushes. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "We must have a cab." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "But it has twice been burgled." manager. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "There is the writing." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "I am armed." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "10th. John Swain cleared. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "But how did you gain them?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his interested in these little problems, and since you are good "What then?" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen one of them." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry standing smiling on the door-step. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the with some details as to your case." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan not fit the lock." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so my special province." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." there." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." of the way of danger. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "What!" he roared. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which success. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "No, distinctly professional." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's money should be paid at once.' remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger detained." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a vague figure huddled up in the darkness. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "I have come for advice." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a sparkled upon his finger. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding