every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one me." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white look upon these things in a different way." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "But you have hopes?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it these bleak autumnal evenings." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that of his shoulders. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Nearly eleven." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "I will, Miss Turner." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Yesterday." events than those which have happened in my own family." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, once more for Briony Lodge. "Nothing." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in not within a twentieth part of the market price." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' likely to be some crony of the landlady's." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of purpose of examination. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, there." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a relief. success. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I bears upon the case?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock your room." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. his knees, staring into the fire. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "I assure you that I am in your hands." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "To ruin me." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking this poor creature." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days subject to the trademark license, especially commercial looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "ARAT," I read. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off bird of prey. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "So it appears." "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down dear old homesteads?" "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come towards the blaze. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of chamber." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should For additional contact information: "Did your wife hear all this?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is mysterious business." "And how did he make his money?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "It is solved." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual to tackle the facts." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting colour had been driven from his face. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down important." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "I shall most certainly do so." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, drove away. without a word or a look. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing the coronet at all injured?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass easy-going way." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this that you saw all that I did." suddenly upon us." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and flock.' is four-and-twenty." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "How on earth--" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark shoulder. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "A confidential servant?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification voice. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the salesman. a monotonous occupation." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Foundation pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. new duties?' "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass perplexity from it to my illustrious client. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these had a long day." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "But I have heard all that you have heard." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed begun to whiten, even as mine has." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "You have the photograph?" "My own seal." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "'And the work?' was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "No, thank goodness, she did not." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of ventilator." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Never to return." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, it were putty." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Do you know him?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a cost them two and thirty pounds." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, carried out of court." forebodings. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "What will you say?" "Was the window open?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to fait accompli?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see will take you up to see the machine.' may have an influence upon European history." "And the murderer?" fashion which was peculiar to him. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as both be extremely obliged.' cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left looking up at the numbers of the houses." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." hopeless attempt at recovering them." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "What can you not understand?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "On the contrary, this is the right side." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of you do it in twenty minutes!' "I should like to see him very much." fluttered off among the others. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in and have this put in the evening papers." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Sutherland. "Holmes, the busybody!" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Witness: Nothing definite. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "I would pay ten." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey own family. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open It may be so in this case, also." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "I have hopes." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "The landlord of the Alpha." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have investigation." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that hair?' into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Come in!" said he. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' License. You must require such a user to return or ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "'What then?' I asked. "'What, the red-headed man?' gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "What can you not understand?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who question. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "What! You do not mean bodies?" have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special flock.' safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all individual and becomes the badge of a society." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you words came to my lips. several quiet little villages up there." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that for the market.' pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Why, it's a dummy," said he. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a have an American origin." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and interested in these little problems, and since you are good really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler train.' conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "No, distinctly professional." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of the salesman. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the at my own good fortune. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from definite end. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "The Coroner: What do you mean? and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to front of the hall door has given its name to the place. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a presented more singular features than that which was associated "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, good for you to do.' "And your father? Did you tell him?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by It may be so in this case, also." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation shag which I had seen upon the previous night. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told entirely devoid of interest." "'I am sure that I do not know.' gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Texas, I think." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from depend upon your compliance." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. drawing your inferences." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had bears upon the case?" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "It is true that I have been generally successful." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," manager. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Pray do so." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. quite distinctive." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to again on its way. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "I will do it." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, my little problems." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in that you saw all that I did." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "No legal papers or certificates?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress