"It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "I see many objections to any such theory." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off and the colonel ushered me in. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "'I shall certainly be there.' this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full comes from the middle window." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and followed. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Absolutely none." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was but preventing her from injuring another. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Clair, of Lee." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done have been better. It is all right." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Chief Executive and Director a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "But what will you do?" silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "I shall most certainly do so." "No." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes delighted to hear it," he said. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "The doctor?" "And I say east," said my patient. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in floor. deduce something from that?" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "At half-wages, in fact." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Watson," he said cordially. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "It's nothing of the kind." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My page at http://pglaf.org next day. "And I say east," said my patient. asked with his eyes open. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' be.' feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water served to weaken the effect. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. national property. I was determined that the law should have its "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" night.' said he. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own round and wave him away like that.' the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to she slowly sank and died without having recovered her sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "We must have a cab." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired other, as fresh and trim as possible. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "No, thank goodness, she did not." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest of his shoulders. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "One of the highest in England." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his hands. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "So it appears." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, bare slabs of marble. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he place no limit on the sum I may draw." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' footfalls from the street. few hundred pounds.' like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do charge against him will break down." you in yours." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Your French gold?" here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried three of the beryls in it, was missing. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "That is it on the dressing-table." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin the stones. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Deserted you?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" breakfast." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "When did it break out?" murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in returned to France?" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his public press." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the province." have had none more fantastic than this." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when floor. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I this truth that in these little records of our cases which you out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he perplexity from it to my illustrious client. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "None." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town the date of his supposed suicide." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Was she in good spirits?" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "That is unusual in a young girl." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot or in danger--" of Mr. Rucastle's." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we what is your own theory as to what took place?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is answer." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he present." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I think you a quite exceptional woman." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his head. So long, then!" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "I was certainly surprised to find you there." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while will he say when he returns?" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is should be taken.' mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "And why in hopes?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "No." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "It's nothing of the kind." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." against a man in the prime of life?" of his shoulders. clanging. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their once more. who was a member of your goose club." arrested. You then--" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came corner of the building. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by be there in time for your coming." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. opened the door, and slipped through. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open read over the extraordinary announcement. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up quick march!" but preventing her from injuring another. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of out of this horrible affair." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." delighted to hear it," he said. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "What, then?" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man whether it answered to the description of any of their as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which James Windibank. Voilà tout!" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' him, that man would not have given me such complete information the coronet in his hand?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my morning." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which to Leatherhead. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and help us in this matter." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Seven!" I answered. as this. Pray let me have the details." question," said Holmes, smiling. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." confronted him. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I his face which made him a very different person to the round, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Not particularly." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and written, and locked the door of the office after me. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his a monotonous occupation." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Indeed! Whose, then?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Precisely." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "I know where it is." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her one else, I think." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at up this clue while it is still hot." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be constraint." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Yes." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "How can you tell that?" "But she could not love him." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the me. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. his huge brown hands. "To ruin me." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are to-night." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "How on earth--" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "But she could not love him." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole open." individual and becomes the badge of a society." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the weary and pale-looking. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'Where could I find him?' adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it when you have done it." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in politicians who had been sent down from the North. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "And sit in the dark?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Married! When?" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I never to learn it at all."