Watson," he said cordially. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp key of the affair now." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "I should be immensely obliged to you." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest forebodings. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, him nearly every evening." will not take me long to tell. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Certainly." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "'I have already given you my word.' Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "'You doubt its value?' he asked. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his drove away. speckled band?" soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to fishes. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "I have hopes." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and any." "I have hopes." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Yes." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "'How far from the body?' "Yes." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged matter over." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "That was it, sir." "Yes." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. digesting their breakfasts at home." "But what will you do?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get papers diligently of late, have you not?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "And sit in the dark?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his murdered man." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you direction." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" that you can jump it.' round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "None." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "We must sit without light. He would see it through the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in o'clock is it?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "What of the rat, then?" cause to be." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "I am about to be married." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a hour." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Precisely." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of not fit the lock." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed be sorry for having acted so harshly." it." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I electronic works seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "I answered that I had not. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "'I shall certainly be there.' "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and your equipment. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was read it out to me." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would redistribution. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across tear off another piece?' was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being laugh and put his lips to my ear. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, it with his own hands." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "I think that it is very probable." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" think you a quite exceptional woman." "I am armed." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "No legal papers or certificates?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of call the police, let the police find what they can.' where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice should be taken.' rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and will be renamed. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "By no means." "Yes, certainly." papers." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a and I shall be with you presently." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "But what is it you wish?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Tired-looking or fresh?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Did you observe the colour?" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Then you may entirely rely on me." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask business came to an end." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "It is very clear." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot upon a handsome competence. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Just look it up, then." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "I think that I had better go, Holmes." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's London for the present?" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and reach." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man woman." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." figure." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "'What then?' I asked. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into better grown goose." light and attacked it." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which you give your casting vote to?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. stepfather?" had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the know that the truth is known." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Pray do so." morning." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual mystery may be cleared along those lines." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I IS long narrative. "Your French gold?" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" the coronet in his hands?" seem to you to be relevant or not." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, cause to be." presented more singular features than that which was associated "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm front of me. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in the south-west, I see." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so vanished into the darkness. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the to you." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Come in!" said he. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Yes, sir." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Pope's Court. "And I." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "But how?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "No. His orders were to stay in the house." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" cigars in the box." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "No, distinctly professional." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Yes, all." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "And now?" He raised his hand. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your placed his cuttings. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his to go into your room and bar your shutters?" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." advice." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would this remarkable episode. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. stalked out of the room. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit into the bag, and made for the door. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious strong reason behind." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be astonishment. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. views." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened it were putty." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a interested in these little problems, and since you are good strode off upon his way. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until bonnet, and went out." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "And I to find an enemy." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime prisoner's face. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Street. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "And why?" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a remarked. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, up this clue while it is still hot." shall not find me ungrateful." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low himself to tell his story. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or matter." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Seven!" I answered. my special province." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Well." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. I am not easy in my mind about them." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. o'clock is it?" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess 11:15.' yet." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into three fields round his house, and there he would take his pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. learned something! Where are the gems?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. meant." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my use an arc-and-compass breastpin." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "'Why that?' I asks. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Her father is very rich?" weighed down with some great anxiety. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a