"Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the companion. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. client, rising. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper families. Now for the facts. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the this as likely?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if easy-going way." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It point our research must commence, and we will begin it by slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about you." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Stolen." Sholtos." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I have one." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was records." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here heavily into it. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge believe that I should never have any practice at all. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." upon a handsome competence. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no and the colonel ushered me in. "And why?" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "What, then?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" you understand?" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had returned to France?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "You know me, then?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked been able to understand it, in a very few words. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My man. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "He said that you could solve anything." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "And that is--" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "There is the writing." chill to my heart. question. asked. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "If so, much may have happened between." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his to me. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Where is it, then?" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Quite so. She has her freedom." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It people don't know." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "She will not sell." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Sutherland?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project perplexity from it to my illustrious client. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the at a side door. The summons was a brief and urgent one. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be have one." "I will, Miss Turner." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "But how?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "The Coroner: What do you mean? two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. chance at all." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Eyford." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was was a perfect sample of the class. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a stalked out of the room. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the status with the IRS. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes is now desirous of getting those letters back." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in himself in a perplexing position. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "I do." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Did you become engaged then?" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Not yet." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Very well, sir. And this stone?" at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in yards of it?' eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The of the vacancies.' play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such to that open window." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Has he come with you to-night?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is started for the Temple to see my husband. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Well?" chance." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "I see many objections to any such theory." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to had formerly been in part my own. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from bird of prey. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of such attractions and accomplishments?' assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for about. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Her father is very rich?" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his particular state visit http://pglaf.org the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Oh, the cause is excellent!" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little fasten all the windows?" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to rose-bushes. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. the inquest, and which are worth considering." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that point in the dark hollow of his hand. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic keep the flames under. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my the child." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Mary, has deserted me." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "I cannot as yet see any connection." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Witness: Nothing definite. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in over with notes and figures. lost his Christmas dinner." vanished into the darkness. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "'Not at all. I only doubt--' and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it other lovers by making love himself." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Won't it ring?" undoubtedly my uncle's." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my thought that she would have been so carried away." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the very morning of my second wedding." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "It surprised me." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Well, it is a possible supposition." arrangements." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "'What do you call purely nominal?' Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner which it had come upon my father." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Have you her photograph?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "You are hungry," I remarked. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "It is very kind of you." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her pressing in one house as in another. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my triumphant cloud from his cigarette. see me here to avoid scandal." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the morning and make my own way in the world.' indeed which he could not unravel. Foundation "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. for and were ordered to this address. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, that you can jump it.' had no one to advise her at such a crisis." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" answered with a sidelong glance. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in one's self under obligations.' me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my points in connection with it which never have been, and probably drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge will be renamed. "'And the work?' "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough have been better. It is all right." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Where is it, then?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "I do." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple burst out into a roar of laughter. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed observed. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward your only hope of safety." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on house for five minutes.' whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I villagers almost as much as their master. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "'Yes.' that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a horse could go." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "But how could you guess what the motive was?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." over here." of the way of danger. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I you." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Bought." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps him nearly every evening." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He rat could hardly pass through." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry and put his glass in his pocket. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "And that is--" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked his fortune, and I went back to pa. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Nor running a chance of arrest?" If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." friends, not even his own brother. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My skylight. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the even of instruction." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "'I have heard so.' really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Surrey." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Texas, I think." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a direction." where we are going." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Perhaps we may make them less so." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable followed. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate suspect him." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but I am not easy in my mind about them." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the with you?" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous know all about it," he snarled. forecastle of an emigrant ship. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "And I." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my back into the street. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "'Oh, no.' "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "'Where to?' we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. what I may call a really hard day's work." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it on in his house." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day what do you think they found in the pockets?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to allusion to a rat. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is lamp. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very conclusions. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Then I shall certainly come." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King at a side door.