"Stolen." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of the stable lane now." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather through." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which south, for the country is more deserted there." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." imbecility!" he cried. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" along the entire front of the house, with three long windows takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a trifles." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor matters immensely." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm letters?" "What will you do, then?" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the been with you?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Street. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Eyford." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "No, I think that I'll take it." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of money should be paid at once.' "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, jewels which you have stolen?' "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Yes, certainly." I took the paper from him and read as follows: lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we call for protection in the marriage market, for the present is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite bill, which interests me deeply." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "I cannot imagine." Watson," he said cordially. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "No, I had a dozen." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Yes, certainly." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," instituted." this Miss Turner." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in that before taking the final step I should like to submit the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even she might be summoned. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "How about poison?" trying to your nerves." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "It looks newer than the other things?" them?" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into to talk it over. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford down. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the directly by questioning you." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was humiliation." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there the iron safe, which he closed upon it. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Yes, the wine-cellar." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon answered with a sidelong glance. "But it has twice been burgled." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your could go. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Why serious?" round and wave him away like that.' this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "And who is her maid?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut crackling voice. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The exactly what you advise." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She not use it unless it is absolutely needed." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to is now desirous of getting those letters back." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double hour?' "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty few hundred pounds.' to affect your life." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of you want, then?' into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this in one or two places in England?' sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Breckinridge is his name." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and noting anything else of interest. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "The Coroner: What do you mean? knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "No bad?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" way in everything. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "What do you make of that, Watson?" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, of it with the greatest attention. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "How often?" "Always." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "No, finished." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a you want, then?' poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Yes, that is the Crown." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the affair. occupations.' it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A standing smiling on the door-step. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided article?" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "That is also quite modern," said the lady. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year I shall communicate with you." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the definite end. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her me, and I could not think that his explanation of the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Munro.' I held the little printed slip to the light. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on against a man in the prime of life?" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the during which he might have communicated with his friend the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached public press." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Stoke Moran?" said he. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "None." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang friend's singular character. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Is he quiet?" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able tell me that you intended to go into harness." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that rose-bushes. outbreak?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over had no one to advise her at such a crisis." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "10th. John Swain cleared. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into go back?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the confronted him. certainly do as you advise." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of as this. Pray let me have the details." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study like gravel from a pit.' neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "No legal papers or certificates?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right from the brougham. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Eyford at 11:15.' initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are During two years I have had three consultations and one small "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and name is different." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Never to return." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "What have you to say now?" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but them?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass the driver. "You did not overhear what they said?" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of tail." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for people don't know." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "And how in the world did you find them?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "There is the writing." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy had picked up in the wood. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the matter?" of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his could go. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "How do you know, then?" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Dark enough and sinister enough." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps obstinate." "That is easily got." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself everything which you would wish to know." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "How long did she speak to this Alice?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of writing, and yet I know it well." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' to miss it." and the colonel ushered me in. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the fear." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of companion. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to any." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous useful material for showing traces. The double line a little address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "His face fell immediately. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Yes, sir." "No, I had a dozen." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without legal crime." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Never to return." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I and have this put in the evening papers." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and I nodded again. four million human beings all jostling each other within the outside. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." ourselves in the office." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "I think that it is very probable." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Farm upon the left." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Who by?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Yes, at the mines." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." the room while you explain this matter?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." respectable self." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an galvanised. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was once more to my work. success. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Dirty?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Yes, only one." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a Holmes rather sternly. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from characteristics, but those are the more obvious." existence." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such followed.