"And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "So I have heard." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a six. Come in!" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." shall use the carriage to-night." not as remarkable as your advertisement." back into the street. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." yet." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide chamber." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "I don't believe it." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Tired-looking or fresh?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so a very grave face. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "No more words. Get out!" and the whole place is in a blaze." had a long day." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit him!" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Ample." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "'Oh, no.' "By train from Waterloo." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I I have it here in my museum." British peeress.'" "On Monday." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "That is not always so easy." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "At what time?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed used to be." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, such attractions and accomplishments?' so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "'What are you doing there?' he asked. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "And that is--" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. something of him before." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too troubles have been weighing upon his mind. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that gone. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "You think so, too?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." train.' brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have do you make of it all?" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress front of the hall door has given its name to the place. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Where, then, is my wife?" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of me upon any point which I do not make clear." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Now, then, what's the last entry?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Very. But will he see it?" "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "How did he come?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in geese which you supplied to the Alpha." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "It is true that I have been generally successful." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "It came here." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "My own seal." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I of this gang." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his standing smiling on the door-step. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and success. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for whatever might befall. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence waste of energy." do." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup intrusion of other matters." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "By no means." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Then, how do you know?" stalked out of the room. your bag." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and of a light. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the both be extremely obliged.' "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's instituted." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" address. father's young wife. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which photograph?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "'I shall certainly be there.' should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Yes, at the mines." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "His face fell immediately. "Yes." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Dirty?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a could gather together that I was able to avert another public "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it presume?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, south, for the country is more deserted there." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Never." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is wedding?" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come digesting their breakfasts at home." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you should be so warm over such a trifle." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Texas, I think." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." off." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch are, and they are waiting for us." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to that I may have something better before very many minutes are "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are to change my dress. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "When did she vanish, then?" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had could go. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by foot. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the nights." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and down. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." will take you up to see the machine.' the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Always." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter invisible to me," I remarked. "So I have heard." "What can you not understand?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "None." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "I should be immensely obliged to you." fishes. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further to tell." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, forehead. quick march!" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which again, where I was soon asleep. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have orange pips. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "And now?" I asked. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "And you don't know his address?" During two years I have had three consultations and one small remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "I have solved it." of this gang." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I cannot imagine." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Then I can wait in the next room." late!' studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and of campaign. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his you understand?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything American. Then who could this American be, and why should he interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation papers on the sundial.'" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." several quiet little villages up there." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR DISSOLVED. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "On your arm?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been forebodings. throat." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the everything which you would wish to know." really the only notable feature about the thing." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," were new raised from a basin. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have little adventures." had formerly been in part my own. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing at my own good fortune. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "That is possible." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than disturbance in my wife." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are within hail.' is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa one of them." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was that the gas is not laid on in his house?" in this note: permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of details should find their way into the papers. Inspector the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my coroner's jury." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Entirely." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "I should wish to." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an of your young ladies.' photograph a cabinet?" redistribution. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. had formerly been in part my own. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Nothing." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a of fine shops and stately business premises that they really your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and fear." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he opportunities to fix the problem. that I am arrested." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. one's self under obligations.' room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so meant it for the best. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold young Openshaw's." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have hour." case before our client came into the room." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her wife's character?" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Whose house is it?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and down. them present such singular features as the strange train of law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were to miss it." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Holmes, the busybody!" One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and telegram would bring me down to your help." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving over part of the map. "What do you read?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers