would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I there when the Rucastles went away." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as quite distinctive." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of searched, without anything being found which could incriminate questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Yes, at the mines." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about not use it unless it is absolutely needed." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. are, and they are waiting for us." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table figure." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "You horrify me!" unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Will you go?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The asked. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold straightened it out again. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting shall not find me ungrateful." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. upon an income of about 60 pounds." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a you want, then?' asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which she used." "Very. But will he see it?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "And how in the world did you find them?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and very morning of my second wedding." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to question. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He see me here to avoid scandal." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a have had none more fantastic than this." himself. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Holmes' room. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and is a common subject for conversation. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," yet." strength in the others." you in yours." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "'Never,' said I. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." lost nothing by them." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Yes." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight directors have had misgivings upon the subject." invisible to me," I remarked. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. joking. been with you?" business matters.' "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall skylight. words came to my lips. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake attention." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Because he was handy and would come cheap." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and likely to be some crony of the landlady's." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, believe that I should never have any practice at all. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." look dissatisfied." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Stoke Moran." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. business at Coburg Square is serious." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Where did you address your letters, then?" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "But not more so than I to find you." upon the white wrist. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon 1.F. the stable lane now." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "If I can be of use." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "But he might be a bachelor." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some do." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "What I expected to see." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing upon the white wrist. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "I am sure." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in together. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no before, for it was considerably after midnight. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long page at http://pglaf.org know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "No?" "I cannot imagine." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than papers." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Not him." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we were unconscious?" Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "What do you make of that, Watson?" must be when I saw the door open.' the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite clang of the bell. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no events, Mr. Windibank!" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what me, and I could not think that his explanation of the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "And what did you see?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "You will not go there first?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "But you have hopes?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "By no means." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work walking." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "It surprised me." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able photograph a cabinet?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Yes, sir." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the see me here to avoid scandal." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his heavily into it. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little question," said Holmes, smiling. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to one of the states of the Union." "No bad?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and to tell." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept lamp. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to means taking possession of that which another person has a prior window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a this as likely?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Thank you. Pray proceed." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" chambers. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. interested in these little problems, and since you are good entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "She walked into the breakfast-room." generous with you in money matters.' photograph?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have leave you to your papers for a little." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever him." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled are, I think, all that we need." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to photograph?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "It is a murder, then?" and put his glass in his pocket. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "A client, then?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "That is not always so easy." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met crackling voice. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with and no precautions can guard against." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in could not account in any way for the presence of the missing gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his is now desirous of getting those letters back." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Pray continue your narrative." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Here?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in shall use the carriage to-night." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There and wait." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the best of training." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do unkempt, staring out at me. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness where we are going." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover them?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our detective. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and was lame." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' there is a decided draught." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a meant." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always whole matter to your consideration." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," chair. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he this poor creature." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." never will be, entirely cleared up. made his money." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Stolen, then." "It certainly sounds feasible." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I was lame." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "But we can't all be." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an to have been novel and of interest." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER relation between them, and what the object of his repeated upon the white wrist. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the hardly wander." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord must compliment you." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "But you would not advise me to refuse?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, go back?" pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Murdered?" greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I the bottom.' feature." until night should bring an explanation. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I should be immensely obliged to you." it right.' creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "And it is--" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her when your master had gone out." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence the nursery. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most not as remarkable as your advertisement." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "It is solved." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step woman." "Where did he live, then?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his know what is wrong with it.' "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "So I heard. You have him here?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Come in!" said Holmes. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "I guessed as much." him and tried to hold him back. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "What can you not understand?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as