the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in intimate personal affairs in this public manner." spark where all is dark to me." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to gives a meaning to it." tightly behind him. about here speaks of his kindness to him." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second he bowed and left the room without another word. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you prisoner's face. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Did you observe the colour?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the nursery. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' License. You must require such a user to return or gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Yes, sir." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own letters?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It of Mr. Rucastle's." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Why did you pick him?" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "He said that you could solve anything." prisoner's face. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Why, it's a dummy," said he. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I that the gas is not laid on in his house?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "And Miss Sutherland?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. will not take me long to tell. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." again on its way. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Dirty?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH do.' some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg tightly behind him. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Then, as to money?" again before evening." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small said I. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, own family. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. not fit the lock." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to detained." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence kind enough to tell me what I should do." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both everything which you would wish to know." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, compunction about shooting them down." "Ten will be early enough." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "What is it, then--a fire?" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I grasp, he hurried from the room. "Thank you. And your address?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face ways of our fellow-men." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being shoulder. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "No?" "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "It missed him, then?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking business at Coburg Square is serious." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an three of the beryls in it, was missing. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained highly," said Holmes. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, get her out of the way." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are with her." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I vague figure huddled up in the darkness. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, read it out to me." giving me time to thank him. page at http://pglaf.org metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a more solid." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon green of the new foliage. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "You are all wrong." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "At what time?" "What is it, then--a fire?" "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "'Where could I find him?' lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and placed his cuttings. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for a room. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "No." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing strength of mind to control. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his attention." "'Yes, sir.' treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Can I be of assistance?" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial house for five minutes.' recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Eyford." affection." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Witness: I must still refuse. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all would then never go into court at all." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon lips." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present vague figure huddled up in the darkness. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door reach." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "9th. McCauley cleared. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a extraordinary contortions. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my delighted to hear it," he said. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged most interesting one." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "If so, much may have happened between." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, appeal." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year of fine shops and stately business premises that they really chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was with the outside air!" suspect him." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin writers could invent nothing more crude." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "I have a cab outside." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view at once, for I have only half an hour." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs not use it unless it is absolutely needed." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few congratulate you again." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in made him keep the appointment." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as bare slabs of marble. "And how?" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than putting in the horse. "Yes, it would be as well." province." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Nothing." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "ARAT," I read. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between breakfast?" owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really derbies." his wife has ceased to love him." "Where to?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across status with the IRS. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the night.' from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the get her out of the way." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, maid will bring up your coffee." "What of the rat, then?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the a suggestive one." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second bedroom door." "My dear Holmes!" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady sentimental considerations in the background which would induce what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Pray do so." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "I cannot imagine." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "The Coroner: What do you mean? for securing the situation." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, as yours." awkward doing business with an alias." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I one or two very singular points about this room. For example, the roots. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair sneer upon his pale face. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Holmes' face clouded over. room?" were unconscious?" may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. fasten all the windows?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." charged with?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical States. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong and that he would see to anything that turned up. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is people in all walks of life. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest secret." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of a suggestive one." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but which it had come upon my father." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry window when the police appeared." to a light-house. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly have established a very serious case against the son of the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six do.' only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, nice household for a young lady." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "I cannot tell." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Dark enough and sinister enough." hands. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold Serpentine Avenue. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Quite so." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to occupations.' box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the that I can to serve you." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary nights." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have