"What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. ashen face. manager. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." pound a week." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he bed dies. Does not that strike you?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally other lovers by making love himself." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm developed." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not should be so warm over such a trifle." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter said I. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, sofa. This way, please!" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He as yours." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Have you her photograph?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the death." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such discontent upon his features. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" was feeling which was the fattest.' The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a hand, madam?" "Not yet." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "That you are never beaten." "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in where we are going." Lee, in the county of Kent." when you have done it." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "'What, the red-headed man?' shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he it with his own hands." know all about it," he snarled. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I again on its way. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Pray be precise as to details," said he. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a upon a handsome competence. deduce something from that?" "I shall be delighted." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in hand, madam?" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose details." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' good-night and bustled off upon her way. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge said I. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' of Fenchurch Street." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our indeed which he could not unravel. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the as noiselessly as she had come. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "None." good-night and bustled off upon her way. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, the running down." "It is half-past ten now." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a money should be paid at once.' "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons other lovers by making love himself." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen McCarthy's innocence. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I might have a private word with us. chance at all." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an signal between you and your father? "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "'Most admirably.' a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I voice. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Pool. laugh and put his lips to my ear. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. fattened it expressly for you.' "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "You horrify me!" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "At what time?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake there has been an enclosure here!" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "It is very kind of you." will be renamed. "On the contrary, this is the right side." "To the police?" Holmes rather sternly. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, security.' I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and rat could hardly pass through." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. would apply.' we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I tail." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing criminal. We have already had experience of such." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Ah, but I was recommended to you." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that were unconscious?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first more solid." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal highly," said Holmes. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this colonel looking down at me. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a a good hundred miles off by now." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the correct than the official force." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his fatally injured? staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in been able to understand it, in a very few words. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, ago." would then never go into court at all." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public security.' "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as money should be paid at once.' without success. At last the little money which I had saved began obstinate." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "The landlord of the Alpha." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in relation between them, and what the object of his repeated such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to writers could invent nothing more crude." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I absolutely follow my advice in every respect." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met events, Mr. Windibank!" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Leadenhall Street--and--" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Yesterday." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his you in your example." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Entirely." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has to-night." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he do.' ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more what I may call a really hard day's work." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Munro.' said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and Have you good authority for what you say?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to like gravel from a pit.' circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms villagers almost as much as their master. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "I know where it is." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "But she will refuse." and no precautions can guard against." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. might have a private word with us. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, keep the flames under. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "It was an hour's good drive." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Certainly, madam." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such young Openshaw's." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" our word." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your to a light-house. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a one else, I think." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our nice household for a young lady." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name golden eyeglasses. neither fascinating nor artistic." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." three fields round his house, and there he would take his you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Then he might have called to you?" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or peculiar to him. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are with her." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "One of the highest in England." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be do.' the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my advice." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone in the dead of the night?' the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would on re-entering her father's house?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he British peeress.'" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most off." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it next day. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings footfalls from the street. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his think you a quite exceptional woman." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel who was a member of your goose club." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: prisoner's face. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Yes." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "My dear Holmes!" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Get out!" said he. "It is very kind of you." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my stammered. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for always that they were such commands as a lady might with once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has narrative." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the paper in the air. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, should be so warm over such a trifle." "Will you bet, then?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a discontent upon his features. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in lamp in his hand. of a light. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." has little to do with my story." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "I was afraid that you were engaged."