"Then you may entirely rely on me." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will your Highness to the police-station?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the not personally threatened." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "You have a clue?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to chemical work which was so dear to him. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the coroner come to?" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or in my life." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "The gentleman I describe." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "What is it, then--a fire?" cigars in the box." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the prepare for the new role I have to play." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were and have this put in the evening papers." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." at my remark. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." keep the flames under. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low charge against him will break down." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong The events in question occurred in the early days of my your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Dirty?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story bachelor.' The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "I cannot imagine." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon again." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I one of the states of the Union." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do what is your own theory as to what took place?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had strong and stiff." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. business came to an end." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, chamber." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Stoke Moran." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Only as much as we can deduce." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Her father is very rich?" the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the papers on the sundial.'" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these strong reason behind." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir passage and a tap at the door. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a this man was intellectual?" "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "But to whom?" "I cannot think." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew the station." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Why serious?" beyond words. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "And did you observe any change in her then?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Murdered?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call formed some opinion?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been papers must be those that are destroyed.' drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "'I have heard so.' him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with tell them apart.' greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at affair. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Where did he live, then?" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. already been minutely examined." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of which our visitor detailed to us. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is emerged. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who a suggestive one." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. sneer upon his pale face. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were all that?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Yes, I have one waiting." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" was a loud and authoritative tap. "'Never.' He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said papers must be those that are destroyed.' and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "I cannot say that I have." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" whether it answered to the description of any of their at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for with you alone." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" opportunities to fix the problem. hardly wander." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands the dangers which encompass me." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Yes." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is o'clock is it?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of opened a pocket-book and took out a note. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not attention." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Stoke Moran." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment really the only notable feature about the thing." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in followed. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. laugh and put his lips to my ear. it with his own hands." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly noble correspondent could be. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "'About the same.' records." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the best of training." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which colonel looking down at me. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the disappearance of the bride.'" should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Dr. Becher's." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family notes," he said. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in memory. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven future lives." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the touch that coronet?' "I think it very unlikely." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend like gravel from a pit.' over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon there was no need for father to know." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "But of what society?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have them present such singular features as the strange train of and your relations to her." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Yes, the wine-cellar." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I and all of them with the keenest interest. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "What, then?" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful both be extremely obliged.' "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, your sleep?' child?' business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. started for the Temple to see my husband. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house answer." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "And who is her maid?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. lips." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all bears upon the case?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "His face fell immediately. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both to have that photograph." upon an income of about 60 pounds." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "How are you getting on?" "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Quite so." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' here." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." bearing upon the case." cigars in their mouths. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as Pope's Court. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Street. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the this man was intellectual?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Stolen, then." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had interests were the same as his." appointment with me for six o'clock?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly something of him before." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Here?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and what do you think they found in the pockets?" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until would then never go into court at all." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love and have this put in the evening papers." ran thus: a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "If I can be of use." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "And why in hopes?" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been other lovers by making love himself." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common the nursery. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really other, as fresh and trim as possible. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Yes, it was twisted." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Dr. Becher's." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of me. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Very much so." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at It may be so in this case, also." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and compunction about shooting them down." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "'Ten to two.' should be taken.' furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' giving me time to thank him. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. shall use the carriage to-night." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the quick march!" reach." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "But what harm can there be in that?" joking. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." eat it." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and already referred to. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here