glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and cost them two and thirty pounds." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter where Mr. Fordham shows you.' said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Mary, has deserted me." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss bell. Holmes whistled. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "I cannot say that I have." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door companion. strode off upon his way. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "But you can know nothing of this?" pound a week." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he and the colonel ushered me in. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope character. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the future lives." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "'As governess?' other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no me upon any point which I do not make clear." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. sneer upon his pale face. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an guilty parties." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "That you are never beaten." "What then?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Very murderous indeed." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten upon the white wrist. "Dirty?" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "The best possible." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Not in a good cause." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See The telegram which we eventually received came late one night might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me It was close upon four before the door opened, and a immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke down. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." tapping his fingers upon the table. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. to change my dress. vault. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that matter." signal between you and your father? of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "What have you to say now?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to details." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "I will do it." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "What?" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. business at Coburg Square is serious." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "The Coroner: What do you mean? possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of in. colour had been driven from his face. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael everything which you would wish to know." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, 1.F. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Yes, the wine-cellar." pound a week." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from have an American origin." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Have you her photograph?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This sound at heart." "Indeed! Whose, then?" after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that his cane at the bell-pull. on in his house." really the only notable feature about the thing." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Holmes' thin, eager face. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with and inquire as to the address." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble room had already been engaged for us. at my own good fortune. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to this man was intellectual?" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "On your arm?" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Two days later this same performance was gone through under posted to-day." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of think that any burglar could have done. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "And why in hopes?" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost his face which made him a very different person to the round, in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy secret." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Yes." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his go--none." "What then?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his him." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Come in!" said he. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the to surprise her." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "I think it very unlikely." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Not in a good cause." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I quick march!" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are opened the door, and slipped through. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and visitors." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "And your father? Did you tell him?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Ha! you find it so?" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "What!" he roared. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "By train from Waterloo." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular leave you to your papers for a little." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "How did you trace it, then?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. my little problems." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it introspective fashion. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Very truly yours, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Imitated." late!' obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "What can it mean?" I gasped. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew prepare for the new role I have to play." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that late." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Yes, all." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." door?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' the Assizes." "Why did you pick him?" emerged. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of four million human beings all jostling each other within the already been minutely examined." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "'In my own bureau.' an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could in him." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the British peeress.'" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four But Holmes shook his head gravely. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to her also." place no limit on the sum I may draw." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Ten will be early enough." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need His smile broadened. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" the coronet in his hand?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, at my remark. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "It surprised me." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the redistribution. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' fear." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, for and were ordered to this address. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "'Never,' said I. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the remarked. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea Clair, of Lee." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Then I do not see the point." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am rat could hardly pass through." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" joking. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, my friend's incisive reasoning. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared here and I will read it to you: he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "No more words. Get out!" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple cheerful." "Won't it ring?" the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "But he might be a bachelor." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Yes?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with swore that no one else had been in the front room during the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." his grey eyes. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, who was a member of your goose club." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her."